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GANDHI JI QUIZ

Dr VK Kapoor

Forewords by: Arun Gandhi | Rajmohan Gandhi

First Edition: 2017

ISBN: 978-1-105-55830-6

Parts of this quiz book were serialized in the Hindustan Times, Lucknow in September

- October 2009.

Publisher & Printer:

Sarla Enterprises

G-39/49, Transport Nagar, Kanpur Road, Lucknow-226017 U.P. India

Mob. 7275366663 | email: [email protected]

Copyright Nil

The Author invites and encourages anyone and everyone to use and disseminate the

idea and the contents of this work in any educational or instructional activity related

to Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi ji Quiz | www.mkgandhi.org

To

(Late) Sri Ram Narain Lal Kapoor

(1906-1977)

my grandfather

&

(Late) Sri KN Bhardwaj

my teacher (1968-1971) at

Rajghat Besant School, Varanasi

&

(Late) Prof Dr Subhash R Naik

my mentor (1989-2002) at

SGPGIMS, Lucknow

in whom, sometimes and somewhere,

I saw a Gandhi.


Contents

Foreword by Arun Gandhi

Foreword by Rajmohan Gandhi

Preface

1. Gandhiji's Childhood

Questions

Answers and Anecdotes

2. Gandhiji's Family

Questions


3. Gandhiji in UK

Questions


4. Gandhiji in South Africa

Questions


5. Gandhiji in India

Questions


6. Gandhiji's Sentences

Questions


7. Sentences in South Africa

8. Sentences in India

9. Gandhiji's Fasts

Questions



10. Gandhiji's Death

Questions


11. Gandhiji and Indians

Questions


12. Gandhiji and Foreigners

Questions


13. Gandhiji Miscellany

Questions


14. Gandhiji Tid Bits

15. Quotes

on Gandhiji

by Gandhiji

16. Bibliography

17. Links

18. The 'Gandhis' and ‘The Gandhi’

19. Anecdote


Foreword

This is a unique way of bringing the story of Gandhiji to the attention of the youth of

India. Human life is short enough and should not be wasted in hate and violence. This

book is a small step towards a larger goal for humanity.

Arun Gandhi

(Grandson of Gandhiji- son of Manilal and Sushila Gandhi)

Founder

MK Gandhi Institute for Non-violence

650 East Parkway South

Memphis TN 38104 USA

www.gandhiinstitute.org

[email protected]

http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/

mailto:[email protected]


Foreword

India has numerous admirers of Gandhi, quite a few critics, and a smaller number who

actually know who he was, what he did, what happened to him, and what he stood for.

Dr VK Kapoor belongs to the last-named minority.

Dr Kapoor's sustained interest in Gandhi comes across from this quiz put together by

him. It is a fine achievement, an equally fine resource for teachers, and a riveting way

of informing a new generation about a remarkable life that ended nearly more than

seventy years ago. Young and old will find the quiz absorbing and instructive. I

commend it strongly and congratulate Dr Kapoor.

Rajmohan Gandhi

Gurgaon

(Grandson of Gandhiji - son of Devadas and Lakshmi Gandhi)

Visiting Professor, Program in South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

222 International Studies Bldg.

910 S. Fifth St., Champaign IL61820 USA

Faculty Director, Global Crossroads

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Urbana IL61801 USA

[email protected]

During the Emergency era (1975-1977), the Author was an MBBS student at the All India

Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and occupied an office in the Students’

Union. In order to 'teach them a lesson’ for their protests against some of the draconian

measures taken by the Administration, the Institute authorities cancelled the annual

convocation that one year. The Students' Union then organized a 'protest' convocation and

invited Mr. Rajmohan Gandhi as the Chief Guest who very kindly obliged. Incidentally, the

Author acted as the ‘Director’ of the AIIMS at this protest convocation. Surprisingly, the

AIIMS authorities allowed the Students’ Union to have the ‘protest’ convocation in the

beautiful JL Nehru Auditorium on the campus where it was otherwise annually held.



Preface

The first time that I read his autobiography - ‘My Experiments with Truth’ - was when

I was in Class VI and was down in the bed with typhoid fever; I have read it several

times since. Doing something related to him has been a cherished dream. This quiz

book is that dream come true.

A word about the title - it could have been Gandhi Quiz; but for me - as it is for more

than a billion Indians - he is not Gandhi - he is either Bapu (father) or Mahatma (great

soul) or Gandhi ji.

It is not an easy task to write about him. Not because it is difficult (in fact, it is very

easy because so much has been written by him and about him) but because of the

disrespect one may show, unintentionally though, to the great soul by saying, or even

meaning something, that one should not, about him. If I have done such a thing in this

book, it has been inadvertent and I apologise - to myself, more than to others - in

advance.

Dr VK Kapoor

[email protected]



Gandhiji's Childhood

Questions

1. What does the word Gandhi mean?

A. Farmer B. Grocer

C. Lawyer D. Originating from Gandhar

2. Gandhiji belonged to (caste group)

A. Brahmin B. Kshatriya

C. Vaishya D. Shudra

3. Gandhiji was born on

A. 2nd October 1869 B. 2nd October 1879

C. 30th January 1869 D. 30th January 1879

4. Gandhiji was born at (place)

A. Noakhali B. Gandhinagar

C. Dandi D. Porbandar

5. Gandhiji was which (number) child of his father?

A. Third B. Fourth

C. Fifth D. Sixth

6. What was Gandhiji's nickname?

A. Mohania B. Munna

C. Mohan D. Karma


7. Name of the childhood friend with whom Gandhiji ate meat

A. Mir Alam B. Abul Kalam

C. Abdul Gaffar D. Sheikh Mehtab

8. The mythical character which impressed Gandhiji most during his childhood

A. Hanuman B. Krishna

C. Arjun D. Shravana Kumar

9. Which play instituted the virtue of truth in Gandhiji's mind?

A. Harishchandra B. Ramayana

C. Mahabharata D. Gita Govinda

10. The word which Gandhiji misspelt during a school inspection

A. Receive B. Period

C. School D. Kettle

11. Gandhiji passed his matriculation examination from

A. University of Bombay B. Rajkot University

C. Ahmedabad University D. Central University

12. What did Gandhiji want to be?

A. Doctor B. Lawyer

C. Politician D. Dewan


Gandhiji's Childhood


1. B Grocer, The word Gandhi means a grocer.

2. C Vaishya, Gandhiji was a Modh Bania.

Banias (also called Vaishyas), third in the caste hierarchy of India, are those involved

in business. Brahmins are the priests, Kshatriyas the warriors and Shudras

(untouchables) – the lowest in the caste groups.

3. A 2nd October 1869, Gandhiji was born on According to the Hindu calendar, it was

the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha (dark half) of Bhadrava month. Gandhiji's birthday is

celebrated in India as one of the three national days (the other two being Independence

Day on 15th August and Republic Day on 26th January). It is now observed the world

over as the International Day for Non-violence.

30th January is the date of his assassination in 1948.

4. D Porbandar, Gandhiji was born at Porbandar. Porbandar (also known as

Sudamapuri) is in the Kathiawad peninsula in western India (present Gujarat state). It

was known as 'the white city’ because its creamy white limestone houses were visible

from miles. This limestone is clayish in quality and hardens with water to look like

marble. Houses were built in Porbandar with limestone without using any cement.

5. D Sixth, Gandhiji's father, Karamchand Gandhi, had two daughters from his first and

second wives. Gandhiji was the fourth and the last child of the fourth and last marriage

of his father. First was a daughter Raliatbehn (1862-1960), followed by three sons

Lakshmidas (1863-1914), Karsandas (1866-1913) and last Mohandas (Gandhiji).

6. A Mohaniya, Gandhiji's nickname was Mohaniya. He was also called Manu or Moniya.

He was a playful child like any other - once he removed the statue of a god from its

niche in the family prayer room so that he could sit there himself in place of the God.


7. D Sheikh Mehtab, Gandhiji's childhood friend, Sheikh Mehtab was a star athlete; he

ascribed his strength to meat eating and suggested Gandhiji to do the same.

"Behold the mighty Englishman

He rules the Indian small.

Because, being a meat eater,

He is five cubits tall.”

(Poem by Narmadashankar)

"I wished to be strong and daring and wanted my countrymen also to be such, so that

we might defeat the English and make India free." on his meat eating in childhood

"Though it is essential to eat meat, yet deceiving and lying to one's father and mother

is worse than not eating meat. In their lifetime, therefore, meat eating must be out

of the question. When they are no more, I will eat meat openly.”

During his childhood, Gandhiji also smoked (stumps of cigarettes thrown away by his

uncle), ate dhatura seeds (with an intention to commit suicide), stole servants' pocket

money and once stole a piece of gold from his brother's armlet. He once even went to

a brothel with his friend.

"I went to the woman on her bed, but I was tongue tied. She naturally lost patience

with me, and showed me the door with abuses and insults. I felt as though my manhood

had been injured, and wished to sink into the ground with shame.”

“I went into the jaws of sin, but God in his infinite mercy protected me against myself.

I have ever since given thanks to God for having saved me. I can recall four more

similar incidents in my life, and in most of them my good fortune, rather than any

effort on my part, saved me.”

8. D Shravana Kumar, Gandhiji read the book Shravana Pitrabhakti Nataka and saw the

related pictures also. He was moved by the picture of young Shravana carrying his blind

parents on his shoulders on a pilgrimage.

9. A Harishchandra, The righteous king Harishchandra is considered as the epitome of

truth in Hindu legends.


10. D Kettle, At the Alfred High School, during an inspection by one Mr. Giles, students

were asked to spell five words. Gandhiji misspelt the word kettle as cattle - his teacher

prompted him to copy it from his fellow student but Gandhiji did not do so. He was the

only student in the class who misspelt a word and his teacher was annoyed with him.

"Yet the incident did not in the least diminish my respect for my teacher. I was by

nature blind to the fault of the elders, for I had learnt to carry out the orders of

elders and not to scan their actions."

11. A University of Bombay, After passing his Matriculation in 1887 (for which he took

the examination in Ahmedabad) from the University of Bombay, Gandhiji ‘joined

Samaldas College in Bhavnagar but did not complete his studies and left after the first

term itself.

"Good at English, fair in Arithmetic, and weak in Geography; conduct very good, bad

handwriting" read Gandhiji's report card in school. The boy with bad handwriting,

however, went on to become one of the most prolific writers of the world.

12. A Doctor, Gandhiji wanted to be a doctor but could not take medical studies

because his father was against dissection of dead bodies. He went on to become a

lawyer.


Gandhiji's Family

Questions

1. What was Gandhiji's father's name?

A. Karamchand B. Mohandas

C. Harilal D. Uttamchand

2. What was his (Gandhiji's father's) occupation?

A. Lawyer B. Farmer

C. Prime Minister D. Business

3. What was Gandhiji's mother's name?

A. Kasturbai B. Putlibai

C. Sarojini D. Rambha

4. What was Gandhiji's wife's name?

A. Kastur B. Putli

C. Sarojini D. Manu

5. What was Kasturbai's maiden name?

A. Patel B. Desai

C. Kapadia D. Makanji

6. What was Gandhiji's age at the time of his marriage?

A. 9 years B. 13 years

C. 19 years D. 23 years

7. Gandhiji's father was suffering from

A. TB B. Cancer

C. Fistula D. Asthma


8. When did Gandhiji's father die?

A. 1869, weeks after Gandhij's birth B. 1879, before Gandhiji's marriage

C. 1885, after Gandhiji's marriage D. 1889, when Gandhiji was in UK

9. Where was Gandhiji when his father breathed his last?

A. In school B. Saying prayer with his mother

C. In UK for his studies D. With his wife in bed

10. When did Gandhiji take the vow of chastity?

A. In UK in 1890 B. In South Africa in 1906

C. In India in 1919 D. In India in 1932

11. When did Gandhiji's mother die?

A. 1869 weeks after his birth

B. 1891 when Gandhiji was in UK

C. 1895 when Gandhiji was in South Africa

D. 1916 after Gandhiji returned from South Africa

12. When did Kasturbai die?

A. 1931 when Gandhiji was in UK to attend the Round Table Conference

B. 1944 when Gandhiji was in jail

C. 1947 few months before Gandhiji's assassination

D. 1948 few months after Gandhiji's assassination death

13. How many sons Gandhiji had?

A. Three B. Four

C. Five D. Six


14. Which of Gandhiji's son(s) was (were) born in South Africa?

A. Second B. Second and third

C. Third and fourth D. Fourth

15. Gandhiji delivered one of his sons himself. Which one?

A. Harilal B. Manilal

C. Ramdas D. Devadas

16. Which of Gandhiji's sons followed in his footsteps?



17. Which of Gandhiji's son was errant?



18. Gandhiji's fourth son, Devadas Gandhi, went on to become the editor of a prominent

newspaper

A. Indian Express B. Times of India

C. Hindu D. Hindustan Times

19. Which of Gandhiji's sons died a few months after Gandhiji's death?



20. What did he (Harilal) die of?

A. Accident B. Cancer

C. TB D. Killed


Gandhiji's Family


1. A Karamchand, In Gujarat, it is a practice to add father's name between one's given

name and family name - hence Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. An Assistant Police

Agent once insulted Rajkot Thakur Saheb to which Karamchand Gandhi protested - the

Agent asked Karamchand to apologise but he did not - he was arrested and detained,

tied to a tree and left on public display, to be released after a few hours.

2. C Prime Minister, Karamchand (Kaba) Gandhi, as also his father, Uttamchand (Ota)

Gandhi, was the Dewan (Prime Minister) to the Rana (Prince) of Porbandar State in

Kathiawad peninsula in west India. Due to state intrigues, Uttamchand Gandhi had to

leave Porbandar and seek refuge in Junagadh. He saluted the Nawab of Junagadh with

his left hand. When asked to explain the obvious discourtesy, he explained, "My right

hand is already pledged to Porbandar".

3. B Putlibai, Gandhij's mother Putlibai belonged to the Parnami sect, which combined

elements of Hinduism and Mohammadenism.

Kasturbai was Gandhij's wife and Rambha was Gandhiji's childhood ayah (nurse).

4. A Kastur, Gandhiji's wife Kastur was popularly called Kasturbai (bai = great mother,

grandmother). Putlibai was Gandhiji's mother.

5. C Kapadia, Kasturbai's father was Seth Gokuldas Kapadia - a merchant living a few

houses away from the Gandhis' house. Many biographers wrongly identify Makanji as

Kasturbai's maiden name – that is because Gokuldas Kapadia was also known as

Gokuldas Makanji Kapadia (Makanji was Gokuldas' father's name).


6. B 13 years, Gandhiji and Kasturbai were betrothed in 1876 at the age of seven -

betrothal is a promise on the part of the parents of the boy and the girl to join them

in marriage later. They were married in 1882 - Kasturbai was almost the same age as

Gandhiji (13 years) - she was born in April 1869 and was in fact a few months older

than him. Gandhiji had been betrothed to two other girls earlier – both had, however,

died in childhood.

"I can see no moral argument in support of such a preposterously early

marriage." Gandhiji later wrote. "The reader may be sure that we were too nervous

to face each other. We were certainly too shy. How was I to talk to her, and what was

I to say?”

7. C Fistula, Gandhiji's father was suffering from fistula.

8. C 1885, After Gandhiji's marriage, Gandhiji's father - Karamchand Gandhi - died on

16th November 1885 at the age of 63, about 3 years after Gandhiji's marriage in 1882.

9. D With his wife in bed, At the time of his father's death, Gandhiji was in bed with

his wife (who was pregnant).

"The shame of my carnal desire at the critical moment of my father's death... is a blot

I have never been able to efface or forget".

Kasturbai gave birth to a premature boy four days later (on 20th November 1885) but

the child survived for three or four days only - a punishment for his sins, Gandhiji

thought.

"The poor mite that was born scarcely breathed for more than three or four days.

Nothing else could be expected.” He wrote, blaming himself for his uncontrollable

passion.


10. B In South Africa in 1906, Gandhiji took the vow of chastity in South Africa in 1906

after the birth of his fourth son Devdas, at the young age of 37.

"The vow was a sure shield against temptation.”

"Perfect brahmacharis are perfectly sinless. They are, therefore, near to God. They

are like God."

11. B 1891 when Gandhiji was in UK, Gandhiji's mother died in 1891 when Gandhiji

was studying in UK. He was not informed of her death when he was in UK so that he is

not disturbed in his studies; he came to know of it only when he returned to India.

Something impossible today, in the era of mobile phones, e-mail, social media and

what not!

12. B 1944 when Gandhiji was in jail, Gandhiji's wife Kasturbai died on 22nd

February 1944 when Gandhiji was imprisoned at the Agha Khan Palace at Poona.

“If you cannot live without me, you may accompany me" Gandhiji said to Kasturbai

when going to Agha Khan Palace for imprisonment

Gandhiji did not allow penicillin to be administered to her (though ironically he himself

had undergone surgery for appendicitis in 1924)

“The best half of me is dead".

Kasturbai was cremated in the same sandalwood which had been brought by the prison

authorities in anticipation of Gandhiji's death during his 21-day fast. "In that case it

must be mine and I want it to be used for Kasturba."

13. B Four, Gandhiji had four sons - Harilal (1888-1948), Manilal (1892-1956), Ramdas

(1897-1969) and Devadas (1900-1957).


14. C Third and fourth, Gandhij's third and fourth sons Ramdas (1897) and Devadas

(1900) were born in South Africa. His first two sons Harilal (1888) and Manilal (1892)

were born in India.

15. D Devadas, Gandhiji delivered Devadas, his fourth son, himself on 22nd May 1900

in South Africa.

“I was not nervous."

16. B Manilal, Gandhiji's second son Manilal adopted voluntary poverty. He spent almost

16 years in prison in South Africa.

17. A Harilal, Gandhiji's first son Harilal married against Gandhiji's wishes and later

became a Muslim.

18. C Hindu, The Hindu continues to be a popular English daily amongst the elite and

the intelligentsia of India.

19. A Harilal, Gandhiji's first son Harilal died on 19th June 1948 - less than 5 months

after Gandhiji's assassination on 30th January 1948.

20.C TB, Harilal, who had become an alcoholic, died of tuberculosis.


Gandhiji in UK

Questions

1. At whose insistence Gandhiji was sent to UK for studies?

A. His father B. His brother Lakshmidas

C. Brahmin Priest Mavji Dave D. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

2. Gandhiji left India for UK for higher studies in

A. 1888 B. 1887

C. 1886 D. 1885

3. Port in UK where Gandhiji landed

A. Plymouth B. London

C. Southampton D. Liverpool

4. Where did Gandhiji stay in London during his first visit?

A. West Kensington B. Peckham

C. Brighton D. Kingsley Hall

5. Gandhiji passed London Matriculation in how many attempts?

A. One B. Two

C. Three D. Could not pass

6. Which subject did he fail in?

A. Latin B. English

C. Science D. Geography


7. College in UK where Gandhiji studied law?

A. University College B. Balliol

C. Trinity D. Oxford

8. Gandhiji enrolled for law studies at

A. Inner Temple B. Lincoln's Inn

C. Middle Temple D. Gray's Inn

9. Which musical instrument Gandhiji tried to learn to play in UK

A. Mouth organ B. Guitar

C. Harmonium D. Violin

10. The country Gandhiji visited from UK

A. Germany B. South Africa

C. France D. Italy

11. Gandhiji formed a society in UK

A. Indians Group B. Indo-British Friendship Society

C. Vegetarian Club D. Friends of India

12. Gandhiji returned to India from UK in

A. 1888 B. 1889

C. 1890 D. 1891

13. How much time Gandhiji spent in UK during his first visit?

A. 10 years 2 months B. 4 years 6 months

C. 2 years 8 months D. 1 year 3 months


14. How much time Gandhiji spent in UK after finishing his studies?

A. One year B. One month

C. One week D. One day

15. Which major (family) event happened in the spring of 1891 in India while Gandhiji

was in UK about which he was not informed?

A. His mother's death B. His father's death

C. Birth of his first child D. His wife's illness

16. When did Gandhiji visit UK for the second time?

A. 1899 to collect his degree B. 1901 to attend Queen Victoria's funeral

C. 1909 from South Africa D. 1931 to attend Round Table Conference

17. When did Gandhiji last visit UK?

A. 1931 to attend Round Table Conference B. 1942 during the Second World War

C. 1947 just before India's independence D. 1947 just after India's independence


Gandhiji in UK


1. C Brahmin Priest Mavji Dave, Mavji Dave (also called Joshiji) - an old friend of

Gandhiji's father Karamchand Gandhi was the chief advisor to the Gandhi family. In

orthodox Hinduism, crossing the seas was considered a sin; Gandhiji was, in fact,

ostracized by his caste for going across the sea. He took 3 vows in front of his mother;

not to touch meat, alcohol and woman. The Rs. 5,000 which were needed to send him

to UK were arranged by mortgaging Gandhiji's wife Kasturbai's jewelry.

2. A 1888, Gandhiji sailed from Bombay on 4th September 1888 in SS Clyde. Gandhiji

made a speech during his farewell party at Kathiawad High School on 4th July; the

speech was reported in The Kathiawad Times.

"I hope that some of you will follow in my footsteps and after your return from England

you will work wholeheartedly for big reforms in India.”

3. C Southampton, In October 1888, Gandhiji reached UK via Arabian Sea, Red Sea,

Suez Canal, Mediterranean, Straits of Gibraltar, Atlantic Ocean and English Channel

stopping at Aden, Brindisi and Malta. The voyage took 7 weeks. He was the odd man

out - the only person dressed in a white flannel suit in a chilly autumn.

Anecdote: When the Author was in UK in 1997 on a one-year Commonwealth Fellowship,

he made it a point to make a pilgrim visit to Southampton (thanks to Prof CD Johnson

of the Southampton General Hospital for inviting him to deliver a lecture).

4. A West Kensington, On reaching London, Gandhiji first stayed in the Victoria Hotel

- it was very expensive and costed him 3 pounds per night. Gandhiji then stayed with

an old English lady at West Kensington; his expenses there were about 15 shillings a

week.


Kasturbai used to send Golpapdi - sweet made of wheat flour, molasses and clarified

butter - to UK for Gandhiji.

5. B Two, Gandhiji failed in the London Matriculation in December 1889 but passed in

June 1890.

Mindful of his dismissal by one Mr. Lely whom Gandhiji approached for grant of a

scholarship for studies in UK for lack of college diploma, Gandhiji enrolled in private

tutorial classes and passed the London Matriculation in second attempt.

6. A Latin, Gandhiji failed in Latin in his first attempt in December 1989. Later,

however, he read the entire book on Roman law in Latin for his law studies.

7. A University College, Gandhiji studied law at the University College, London.

8. A Inner Temple, There were four Inns of Court - Lincoln's Inn, Gray's Inn, Middle

Temple and Inner Temple. Gandhiji was admitted as a student in the

Inner Temple on 6th November 1888.

9. D Violin, Gandhiji bought a violin for 3 pound sterling. He also joined ballroom

dancing and elocution classes to become a "gentleman". He got an evening suit made

at the Bond Street for 10 pound sterling and bought a chimney pot hat for 19 shillings.

Other items Gandhiji bought included a morning coat, double breasted waistcoat, dark

striped trousers, silk shirts and ties, patent leather shoes, leather gloves and a silver

mounted walking stick.

10. C France, Gandhiji visited France to see the Great Exhibition at Paris in 1890. He

spent 7 shillings to have a lunch at a restaurant on the Eiffel Tower.


"It (the Eiffel Tower) was the toy of the exhibition. I do not know what purpose it

serves.”

11. C Vegetarian Club, During his early days (about 4 to 5 months) in London, Gandhiji

remained poorly fed until he discovered a good vegetarian restaurant (The Central) at

Farringdon Street. Later he formed the Vegetarian Club - Sir Edwin Arnold, who

translated Gita into English (the Song Celestial), was the Vice President and Gandhiji

was the Secretary. He was an Executive Committee member of the London Vegetarian

Society also. An article about India in The Vegetarian was Gandhiji's first public writing.

12. D 1891, Gandhiji returned to India from UK in June 1891. He traveled by Oceana;

at Aden, India bound passengers were transferred to a smaller ship SS Assam.

13. C 2 years 8 months, Gandhiji reached UK in October 1888 and left in June 1891:

he thus spent 2 years and 8 months in UK.

14. D One day, Gandhiji was called to the Bar on 10th June 1891; he enrolled in the

High Court on 11th June and left UK for India on 12th June 1891, the very next day.

On the eve of his departure to India, he invited his vegetarian friends for dinner at a

restaurant. The occasion called for a speech. He had prepared one, but could not

deliver it because of nervousness. "My memory entirely failed me and in attempting a

humorous speech I made myself ridiculous.

'I thank you, gentlemen, for having kindly responded to my invitation,' I said abruptly,

and sat down.”

15. A His mother's death, Gandhiji's mother Putlibai died in 1891 when he was in UK.

He was not informed at that time so as not to disturb his studies and was told about it

only after he returned to India in June 1891.


"I could even check the tears and I took to life just as though nothing had happened.”

16. C 1909 from South Africa, Gandhiji went to UK from South Africa as a member of

a delegation to seek redressal against Asiatics Registration Bill in June 1909 and

returned from UK to South Africa in November 1909.

"I see you are going to London in order to get rid of the dog's collar" an Englishman in

South Africa

17. A 1931, To attend the Round Table Conference.

Gandhiji last went to UK to attend the Round Table Conference. He reached there on

12th September 1931 and stayed at the Kingsley Hall in East End, London.


Gandhiji in South Africa

Questions

“You gave us Mohandas, we gave you Mahatma.” Nelson Mandela, Former President of

South Africa

1. Gandhiji left India for South Africa in

A. 1869 B. 1888

C. 1893 D. 1899

2. When did Gandhiji reach South Africa?

A. April 1893 B. May 1893

C. June 1893 D. July 1893

3. Where did Gandhiji land in South Africa?

A. Durban B. Johannesburg

C. Pretoria D. Maritzberg

4. What was the name of Gandhiji's employer in Africa?

A. Sheikh Mehtab B. Dada Abdullah Sheth

C. Shaukat Ali D. Mohammed Ali

5. What was Gandhiji's first assignment in South Africa?

A. Teacher B. Office Assistant

C. Accountant D. Lawyer


6. How much was Gandhiji paid for this assignment in South Africa?

A. 10,000 rupees B. 105 pound sterling

C. Nothing - this was an honorary job D. Only his expenses

7. Where was his assignment?

A. Durban, Natal B. Johannesburg, Transvaal

C. Pretoria, Transvaal D. Maritzberg, Natal

8. What was the result of his assignment?

A. He won B. He lost

C. Out of court settlement D. Case was never decided

9. Gandhiji returned from South Africa to India in 1896, where did he land?

A. Kandla B. Bombay

C. Kanyakumari D. Calcutta

10. What were Indians in Africa called?

A. Brownies B. Arabs

C. Pakis D. Coolies

11. What was another name for them (Indians)?

A. Samis B. Tommies

C. Blackies D. Kafirs

12. What was the first racial incident involving Gandhiji in South Africa?

A. Thrown off the train B. Beaten by coach driver

C. Asked to take off his turban D. Not allowed into a restaurant


13. Where in South Africa was Gandhiji thrown off a train?

A. Durban B. Pretoria

C. Pietermaritzburg D. Johannesburg

14. During the above-mentioned episode in South Africa, he was traveling from

A. Durban to Charlestown B. Pretoria to Durban

C. Johannesburg to Pretoria D. Pretoria to Durban

15. Gandhiji was beaten by a Dutchman while traveling from Charlestown to

Johannesburg. He was traveling in

A. Train B. Bus

C. Taxi D. Coach

16. Political group formed by Gandhiji in South Africa in the summer of 1894

A. South African Congress B. Natal Indian Congress

C. Indian National Congress D. Indian African Congress

17. Police superintendent whose wife saved Gandhiji from a crowd

A. Smuts B. Andrews

C. Kallenbach D. Alexander

18. Gandhiji took part in a war while in South Africa

A. Boer War B. First World War

C. Anglo-African War D. War between the Indians and the Blacks

19. What medal was awarded to Gandhiji for his role in the Boer War?

A. Victoria Cross B. War medal

C. South African Medal D. Pretoria Medal


20. The newspaper published by Gandhiji in South Africa

A. India Times B. Indian Opinion

C. Indian News D. Indian View

21. The meeting held in the Empire Theatre on 4th September 1906 was against

A. Gandhiji's being thrown out of the train B. Gandhiji's arrest

C. Forced involvement of Indians in Boer War D. Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance

22. Which voluntary group did Gandhiji form in South Africa during the Boer War?

A. Indian Labour Organisation B. Indian Farmers Group

C. Friends of India Society D. Indian Ambulance Corps

23. What rank was given to Gandhiji during the Zulu rebellion in 1906?

A. Captain B. Lieutenant

C. Sergeant Major D. Colonel

24. What was the name of the farm which Gandhiji established in South Africa in 1910?

A. Einstein B. Tolstoy

C. Tagore D. Gokhle

25. It (Tolstoy Farm) was located at

A. Durban B. Pretoria

C. Johannesburg D. Natal

26. On 16th August 1908 at 4'0 clock, what document were burnt in the ground of

Hamidia Mosque in Johannesburg by a crowd?

A. Passports B. Registration certificates

C. British Visas D. South African constitution


27. In South Africa, Gandhiji entered into an agreement with

A. General Smuts B. Lord Wellington

C. Lord Lithlingow D. Winston Churchill

28. Gandhiji had initially gone to South Africa for

A. One week B. One month

C. One year D. Five years

29. What finally was the duration of Gandhiji's stay in South Africa?

A. One year B. Two years

C. Five years D. 20 years

30. How did Gandhiji return from South Africa to India in 1914?

A. via London B. via Italy

C. via Burma D. Directly by air


Gandhiji in South Africa


1. C. 1893, Gandhiji left India for South Africa in April 1893. Gandhiji had a first class

ticket but all first class berths were engaged as the Governor General of Mozambique

was traveling by the same boat. Gandhiji was accommodated on a berth in the Captain's

cabin. Initially he went alone - he returned in the middle of 1896 to take his family

along. Gandhiji returned to India again in the end of 1901 but returned to South Africa

again in the end of 1902.

2. B May 1893, Gandhiji reached South Africa in May 1893; he wore a fashionable frock

coat, pressed trousers, shining shoes and a turban.

3. A Durban, South Africa had four principal colonies - Natal, Transvaal, Orange Free

State and Cape Colony. The British had originally settled in Natal. Gandhiji landed in

Durban, the popular name of Port Natal.

4. B Dada Abdullah Sheth, Dada Abdullah & Co., a firm of Porbandar Memons in

Durban, wasere ship owners and traders. Abdul Karim Jhaveri was the Indian partner.

5. D Lawyer, Gandhiji went to South Africa as a lawyer for a business of Porbandar

Muslims (Memons). Earlier, Gandhiji had been a disaster as a lawyer in India. He wrote

about his first case in the Small Causes Court "The judge must have laughed, and the

barristers no doubt enjoyed the spectacle." He returned the 30-rupee fee to his client.

"I used to attend High Court daily whilst in Bombay; often I could not follow the cases

and dozed off."


6. B 105 Pound Sterling, Gandhiji was paid 105 pound sterling plus first class travel

and other expenses. The lawsuit involved promissory notes of about 40,000 pounds.

7. C Pretoria Transvaal, Pretoria was the capital of Transvaal - about 400 miles from

Durban in Natal.

8. C Out of Court Settlement, The opposite party was Sheth Tyab Haji Khan Mohammed

of Pretoria – a near relative of Dada Abdullah Sheth. Tyab was called upon to pay 37,000

pounds. Gandhiji induced Dada Abdullah Sheth to permit Tyab to pay this amount in

installments over a long period.

9. D Calcutta, On his return from South Africa in 1896, Gandhiji landed in Calcutta

(now Kolkata). He wrote a pamphlet on the plight of the Indians in South Africa - 10,000

copies were printed and posted to newspapers. It was bound in green - 'Green

Pamphlet'.

10. D Coolie, Coolie means a porter. All Indians came to be called coolies - coolie

lawyer, coolie trader, etc. Gandhiji came to be known as the Coolie Barrister.

Muslims were called Arabs.

The first batch of Indian indentured labourers was taken to Natal in South Africa by the

British planters in 1860.

"I had no idea of the previous history of the Indian emigrants."

"The Asiatic cancer, which has already eaten so deeply into the vitals of South Africa,

ought to be resolutely eradicated." General Smuts (about the Indians in South Africa)

1906


11. A Samis, Most Indians were Tamils and their names ended with swami (sami). They

were also called girmitiyas (girmit - corrupt form of agreement – as most indentured

Indian laborers were in South Africa on an agreement).

12. C Asked to take off his turban, In the court of a District Magistrate in Durban,

South Africa, Gandhiji was asked to take off his turban as only Muslims were allowed

to wear a turban in the Courts but he refused to do so. At a later date he agreed to

take off his turban in the Supreme Court of South Africa.

"The turban that I had insisted on wearing in the District Magistrate's Court I took off

in obedience to the order of the Supreme Court."

Gandhiji had had a taste of the British insult earlier in India also (but did not react).

He had developed friendship with one Mr. Charles Ollivant while in the UK; Gandhiji

went to him when he (Mr. Ollivant) was posted in Porbandar to seek favor for his

(Gandhiji's) elder brother - Ollivant had Gandhiji thrown out of his office.

13. C Pietermaritzburg, Gandhiji was thrown off a train on 7th June 1893 at

Pietermaritzburg - capital of Natal, 50 miles from Durban.

Gandhiji had a first class ticket but he was asked by a White passenger to move to the

van compartment which he refused to do. He was thrown out of the train by a police

officer and railway official (at 9 PM) and spent the cold night alone at the

Pietermaritzburg station. Gandhiji recalls this as the most creative experience in his

life.

On a later occasion (Johannesburg to Pretoria) he traveled in First Class, as his co-

passengers did not object. In fact, while in France later on his way from

Bologna to Paris Gandhiji traveled in the First Class at the insistence of the French

Railway officials though he had a Third Class ticket.

“I remember having frequently felt a certain pride in being the only first class

passenger in my compartment (in a local train from Santa Cruz to Churchgate in

Bombay in 1901)"


14. A Durban to Charlestown, Gandhiji was traveling from Durban to Charlestown

when he was thrown off a train at Pietermaritzburg.

"They (Indians in South Africa) had made it a principle to pocket insults as they might

pocket cash."

15. D Coach, "What he did to South Africa was indeed less important than what South

Africa did to him. It had not treated him kindly, but by drawing him into the vortex of

its racial problem, it had provided him with the ideal setting in which his peculiar

talents could unfold themselves" Encyclopedia Britannica

16. B Natal Indian Congress, Gandhiji was the Honorary Secretary of the Natal Indian

Congress. It got the proposed tax for indentured Indians reduced from 25 (375 rupees)

to 3 (45 rupees) pounds. Even this amount was very high, as a labourer's average income

was about 14 shillings a month. In November 1913, Gandhiji led a march of 2,037 men,

127 women and 57 children from Transvaal to Natal to protest against the 3-pound tax

on ex-indentured Indian labourers.

Gandhiji had planned a mass march from Durban in 1914 but the White employees of

the South African Railway went on strike; Gandhiji suspended his march to avoid further

embarrassment to the British Government in South Africa.

17. D Alexander, Gandhiji, while in India, had written and published a pamphlet

entitled Grievances of the British Indians in South Africa (known as the Green Pamphlet

as it was printed on a green paper). When Gandhiji reached South Africa on 19th

December 1896 with Kasturbai (his wife) and two sons, a European group protested

against his writings in the Indian newspapers about the plight of the Indians in South

Africa. Two steamers, SS Courland and Naderi carrying about 800 passengers, were

quarantined at Durban for 23 days. Mr. Laughton, an advocate, was with Gandhiji. To

save Gandhiji from the stone throwing rioters, he hailed a rickshaw. "I had never sat in


a rickshaw before as it was thoroughly disgusting for me to sit in a vehicle pulled by

a human being.” The rioters, however, threatened the Zulu rickshaw puller and he ran

away. "I was thus spared the shame of a rickshaw ride."Gandhiji was beaten by the

crowd; this was on 13th January 1897.

“Hang old Gandhi, on the sour apple tree".

Mr. Alexander kept the crowd amused by singing the above tune as he arranged safe

passage for Gandhiji (disguised as a police constable) and his family.

18. A Boer War, The Dutch settlers who had come to the Cape Colony in early 16th

Century and who migrated from Cape Colony to Transvaal and Orange Free State came

to be known as Boers. Gandhiji took active part in the Boer War between the Dutch

settlers and the British (1899-1902).

“The English and the Dutch were of course cousins. Pots from the same pottery are

often likely to clash against each other.”

“My personal sympathies were all with the Boers but my loyalty to the British rule

drove me to participation with the British in that war. If I demanded rights as a British

citizen, it was also my duty to participate in the defense of the British Empire."

When Dutch General Cronje surrendered to British Lord Roberts, the latter cabled

Queen Victoria "Majuba has been avenged." Earlier the English had lost to the Dutch at

Majuba Hill.

19. B War Medal, Gandhiji was awarded a war medal for his pro -British role in the

Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa.

20. B Indian Opinion, Indian Opinion was a weekly published by Gandhiji from Durban

in Gujarati, Hindi, Tamil and English in 1903 - later Hindi and Tamil editions were

discontinued as Gandhiji stopped taking advertisements.


21. D Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance, The meeting at the Empire Theatre on 4th

September 1906 was against the Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance, also called the

Black Ordinance; it was published in the Transvaal Government Gazette Extraordinary

on 22nd August 1906. All Indians were required to be fingerprinted and registered; they

were to carry their registration certificates with them all the time. As many as 3,000

people gathered. The very next day the Theatre was destroyed in a fire.

"There is only one course open to those like me - to die but not to submit to this law"

"To die - NOT to kill - thus was born Satyagraha." observed B R Nanda, Gandhiji's

biographer

(Today, all of us readily agree to be finger printed before a visa is issued to us by a

foreign country!)

22. D Indian Ambulance Corps, Gandhiji formed the Indian Ambulance Corps during

the Boer War. Nursing came naturally to him. As a child he once climbed a guava tree

and tied a bandage to the broken skin of the fruit pecked at by the birds.

"Illness in (Gandhiji's) ashram was a boon - it was rewarded with two visits a day by

Bapu." an inmate observed

23. C Sergeant Major, During the Zulu rebellion, Gandhiji joined the stretcher-bearer

Corps - a group of 24 volunteers - stretcher-bearers and sanitary aids. The Corps worked

for a month. It was during this period that "two ideas which had long been floating in

my mind became firmly fixed. First, an aspirant devoted to service must lead a life of

celibacy. Secondly, he must accept poverty as a constant companion through life.”

The Chief Medical Officer gave him a temporary rank of Sergeant Major.

"Amongst the Negroes, the tallest and the most handsome are the Zulus."

“At any rate my heart was with Zulus." His team was asked to nurse wounded Zulus

because Whites were not willing to do that.


"If we would improve our status through the help and cooperation of the British, it

was our duty to win their help by standing by them in their hour of need.”

24. B Tolstoy, Gandhiji established the Tolstoy Farm in South Africa in 1910. The other

was Phoenix Settlement - 13 miles from Durban - established in 1904.

25. C Johannesburg, The Tolstoy Farm was 30 Km from Johannesburg - inmates will

walk to the city and come back the same day.

26. B Registration certificates, Registration certificates were burnt by a crowd as a

protest.

"It was like Boston Tea Party" Daily Mail, London

General Smuts had earlier agreed to withdraw the Act if Indians agreed to register

voluntarily – the Indians did that but Smuts did not repeal the Act.

27. A General Smuts, Under the Indian Relief Bill, agreed between Gandhiji and

General Smuts in 1914, Hindu, Muslim and Parsi marriages, which had earlier been

declared invalid, were made valid again. The 3-pound tax for indentured labourers was

also abolished.

"Victory came to Gandhi not when Smuts had no strength to fight him but when he had

no more heart to fight him. Louis Fischer, Biographer of Gandhi ji.

"I did not give you such a bad time as you gave me" - General Smuts to Gandhiji (about

South Africa) when they met in the UK later in 1931

"I am not worthy to stand in the shoes of so great a man." General Smuts;


Gandhiji had prepared a pair of sandals while in jail - he presented these to General

Smuts when leaving South Africa. Smuts preserved them till 1939 when he returned

them to Gandhiji on his 70th birthday.

"(It had been my) fate to be the antagonist of a man for whom even then I had the

highest respect" General Smuts observed later in1939.

28. C One year, Gandhiji had gone to South Africa for only one year. The day before

Gandhiji was to leave South Africa, he read a news item in Natal Mercury about the Bill

to deprive Indians of their right to vote. Indians in South Africa urged him to stay and

fight for them. He stayed on and appealed for admission of the Supreme Court of Natal

- his application was opposed by the Natal Law Society but the Court overruled and

admitted his appeal.

29. D 20 Year, After a brief interlude (6 months in 1896 and then from end of 1901 to

end of 1902) in India, Gandhiji returned to South Africa in 1902. He finally left South

Africa on 18 July 1914 (just 2 weeks after he signed the agreement with General Smuts

on 30th June 1914) and returned to India from South Africa in January 1915.

"The saint has left our shores. I hope forever." General Smuts July 1914

30. A Via London, Gandhiji left South Africa for London with Kasturba and Kallenbach

on 18 July 1914 and reached London on 6 August 1914. He left UK on 19 December 1914

and reached Bombay on 9 January 1915.

Incidentally, Gandhiji never traveled by air.


Gandhiji in India

Questions

"Too mild, too moral and too impractical" Comment about Gandhiji in the beginning of

his political life in India

1. The peasant from Champaran who met Gandhiji in Lucknow in 1916?

A. Vinoba Bhave B. JB Kriplani

C. C Rajgopalachari D. Raj Kumar Shukla

2. The first general hartal (strike) in 1919 was against

A. Simon Commission B. Death of Indian soldiers in First World War I

C. Jalianwallah Bagh Massacre D. Rowlett Act

3. Jalianwallah Bagh (at Amritsar in Punjab) massacre occurred in

A. 1915 B. 1917

C. 1919 D. 1921

4. The crowd in Jalianwallah Bagh was protesting against

A. Simon Commission B. Rowlett Act

C. Cripps Mission D. Death of Indian soldiers in World War I

5. Which festival was being celebrated on that day (13th April 1919)?

A. Holi B. Diwali

C. Baisakhi D. Eid


6. Who ordered the firing at Jalianwallah Bagh?

A. Dyer B. Saunders

C. Scott D. Hunter

7. What was Gandhiji's response to the tragedy (of Jalianwallah Bagh)?

A. Hartal all over country B. Civil disobedience motion

C. Dandi march D. 3 day penitential fast

8. Gandhiji joined a political organisation and became its President in April 1920

A. Indian National Congress B. Swaraj Party

C. All India Home Rule League D. Gadar Party

9. The place where an angry mob set fire to a police station on 4th February 1922

A. Champaran B. Bardoli

C. Chauri Chaura D. Noakhali

10. When was Gandhiji elected Congress President?

A. 1919 B. 1925

C. 1934 D. 1942

11. During which year Gandhiji traveled across India?

A. 1915 soon after his return from South Africa

B. 1925 when he became Congress President

C. 1942 during Quit India Movement

D. 1947 just before partition

12. The place to which Gandhiji "marched"

A. Sabarmati B. Champaran

C. Dandi D. Noakhali


13. What distance did he (Gandhiji) march?

A. 21 miles B. 102 miles

C. 241 miles D. 513 miles

14. How many days did he take (to march from Sabarmati to Dandi)?

A. 7 days B. 14 days

C. 24 days D. 51 days

15. Which law did he break?

A. Salt law

B. Law against political marches

C. Law prohibiting political speeches

D. Law prohibiting movement from one state to another

16. The salt works where protests were held on 21st May 1930

A. Dandi B. Dharsana

C. Champaran D. Noakhali

17. Who led these protests?

A. JL Nehru B. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak

C. Sardar Patel D. Sarojini Naidu

18. One of Gandhiji's sons also participated in the protests at Dharsana


C. Ramdas D. Devdas

19. Who was the United Press correspondent who reported the incident?

A. Webb Miller B. Louis Fischer

C. Robert Payne D. Charles Andrews


20. The place where communal violence broke up in 1946

A. Champaran B. Bardoli

C. Noakhali D. Meerut


Gandhiji in India


1. D Raj Kumar Shukla, Raj Kumar Shukla met Gandhiji in Lucknow on

26 December 1916 and followed him to Kanpur, Ahmedabad and Calcutta; Gandhiji

finally agreed to go with him to Champaran, Bihar in 1917.

The struggle in Champaran was between the European indigo (neel) factory owners and

the Indian planters. Under the prevalent Tinkathia system, the factory owners forced

the planters to cultivate Indigo on 3/20th of their holdings. At Motihari, the

headquarters of district Champaran 160 Km north-west of Patna in Bihar, Gandhiji was

served with a notice to leave by the next available train.

"I have disregarded the order, not for want of respect for lawful authority, but in

obedience to the higher law of our being - the voice of conscience.”

At Motihari, the headquarter of Champaran district 160 Km north-west of Patna in

Bihar, a British manager of the indigo plantations invited Gandhiji to dinner and asked

the cook Batak Miyan to serve him (Gandhiji) poisoned milk but Batak Miyan revealed

the plot to Dr Rajendra Prasad. Batak Miyan was jailed and tortured by the British for

this. Dr Rajendra Prasad felicitated Batak Miyan when he became the first president of

the Indian Republic in 1950.

2. D Rowlett Act, Rowlett Act (under which anyone could be imprisoned without an

open trial) was passed on 18th March 1919. In March 1919, in Madras (now Chennai), in

a twilight condition between sleep and consciousness, Gandhiji had the idea of hartal

- total cessation of all activity. Gandhiji wanted it to be a day of fasting and prayers –

all activities came to a standstill. This was his first act and the country's first political

demonstration against the British. It was observed in Delhi on 30th March and in other

cities on 6th April 1919. The Rowlett Act was finally repealed.


3. C 1919, 13th April 1919. Total of 1,650 rounds were fired - 379 were killed and 3

times wounded - 1,516 casualties with 1650 rounds to indicate that it was a marked

firing.

"When a great imperial power fires on defenseless people with the aim of inspiring

terror, it acknowledges its own weakness." Robert Payne.

"Amritsar was a disaster." Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India.

4. B Rowlett Act, The Rowlett Act empowered the British to arrest anyone without an

open trial.

5. C Baisakhi, Baisakhi, the Hindu New Year day, commemorates the establishment of

the Khlasa (Sikh) panth. It is celebrated as Vishu in Kerala and as Bihu in Assam.

6. A Dyer, Brigadier General Reginald Edward Henry Dyer ordered the shooting at the

Jalianwallah Bagh in Amritsar on 13th April 1919.

Lord Hunter - Senator of the College of Justice of Scotland - was the Chairman of the

Commission of Inquiry to investigate into the massacre. The report of the Hunter

Commission was signed by the British members only. Gandhiji called the report "thinly

disguised whitewash”.

“Gandhi's faith in British sincerity had already been shaken in 1919 (Jallianwala Bagh

massacre); in 1926 (Hunter Commission) it was shattered." BR Nanda, Gandhiji's

biographer

7. D 3 day penitential, Gandhiji undertook a 3 day penitential fast in response to the

tragedy at the Jalianwallah Bagh.

8. C All India Home Rule League, All India Home Rule League (AIHRL) advocated self-

government.


Congress did not yet talk of independence. Swaraj Party was floated by CR Das and

Moti Lal Nehru later.

9. C Chauri Chaura, Gandhiji suspended the proposed civil disobedience movement at

Bardoli due to Chauri Chaura incident in Gorakhpur U.P. on 4 February 1922 - 22

policemen were killed.

"Even though non-cooperation movement failed in achieving swaraj (self-rule), it

succeeded in transforming the political climate in India." BR Nanda Gandhiji's

biographer.

10. B 1925, Gandhiji was elected Congress President in 1925.

"Gandhiji is the permanent super President of Congress" Jawahar Lal Nehru

"Sooner or later you will have to crush Gandhi and the Indian Congress and all they

stand for" Winston Churchill to the British Parliament

"Gandhi's was the last word on the choice of Congress President and members of the

Working Committee." BR Nanda, Gandhiji's biographer

In 1934, Gandhiji resigned even from the membership of the Congress. "I do not leave

Congress in anger or in huff nor yet in disappointment.”

“Henceforth, Gandhi could do without Congress but Congress could not do without

Gandhi.” BR Nanda

11. B 1925, Gandhiji traveled across India in train in 1925 to understand the country

and its people.

12. C Dandi, The "march" started from Gandhiji's Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on

12th March 1930. Gandhiji was accompanied by 79 volunteers - the youngest was 16,

Gandhiji, then aged 61, was the oldest.


“(Gandhi's salt march to Dandi is like) Napoleons’ march to Paris on his return from

Elba" Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

“who could know that gathering a pinch of salt would send tremors through the Delhi

throne?" Narayan Desai.

Gandhiji's proposed march was ridiculed by the British and the Indians alike.

"Mr. Gandhi's somewhat fantastic project" Tottenham, Member of the Central Board of

Revenue.

"Another of Mahatma's hobby horses (like fasting and charkha - the spinning wheel)"

Moti Lal Nehru.

13. C 241, The distance from Sabarmati to Dandi was 241 miles (386 Km)

"I was told that his horoscope predicts that he will die this year, and that is the

explanation of this dangerous throw. The will power of the man must have been

enormous to get him through this march." Lord Irwin

14. C 24 Days, Gandhiji left Sabarmati on 12th March 1930 and reached Dandi on 4th

April 1930. He picked salt on 5th April 1930 at 8.30 AM.

"I want world sympathy in this battle of right against might."

15. A Salt Law, It was a punishable crime to possess salt not obtained from the

Government. The salt lifted by Gandhiji was purchased by one Dr. Kanungo for Rs.

1,600.

"With this salt, l am shaking the foundations of the Empire."

While in the UK, Gandhiji had earlier written in The Vegetarian Messenger in 1891

“Millions in India have only one meal per day and that consists of stale bread and salt,

a heavily taxed article." Salt tax was about 3 annas per head.

Gandhiji, at one stage, gave up salt from his diet for an unbroken period of 10 years.


16. B Dharsana, The salt satyagraha at Dharsana had demonstrated to the world the

flawless use of a new instrument of peaceful militancy.

17. D Sarojini Naidu, Gandhiji had declared that he would raid the Government owned

Dharsana Salt works and take possession of it in the name of the people. He was

arrested. 76 year-old retired Baroda High Court Judge Abbas Tyabji was initially leading

the march but he too was arrested. Sarojini Naidu then took over.

18. B Manilal, Gandhiji's second son Manilal also participated in the protests at

Dharsana salt works.

19. A Webb Miller, United Press correspondent Webb Miller

"Suddenly at a word of command, scores of police rushed upon the marchers and rained

blows on their heads with their steel-shod lathis. Not one of the marchers even raised

an arm to fend off the blows. They went down like ten-pins. At times, the spectacle of

unrelenting men being methodically bashed into a bloody pulp sickened me so much

that I had to turn away. In 18 years of reporting in 12 countries, I have never witnessed

such harrowing scenes as at Dharsana." Webb Miller

Miller's story was published in 1,350 newspapers around the world. It was read out in

the US Senate also.

320 unarmed satyagrahis were wounded - mercilessly beaten with lathis (sticks).

“What has become of the English honour? English justice?" Madeleine Slade.

20. C Noakhali, Muslims in Noakhali in the then East Bengal (later East Pakistan and

present Bangladesh) massacred Hindus.

"I have not come to give you consolation. I have come to bring you courage.”

After Mountbatten convinced Nehru and Patel about partition, he said to Gandhiji -

"Today Congress is with me" to which Gandhiji said “But India is with me”.


Gandhiji's Sentences

Questions

‘His Majesty's hotels’ is what Gandhiji called the British prisons

"I am quite happy making up for the arrears of rest" in a letter to Mira Behn from prison

"It is dangerous not to arrest the rebel and dangerous to arrest him." Lord Irwin

"Gandhi in jail was as much nuisance (for British) as Gandhi on the march" Louis Fischer,

Gandhiji's biographer

1. When and where did Gandhiji go to jail for first time?

A. 1889 in UK B. 1908 in South Africa

C. 1919 in India D. 1931 in India

2. When was Gandhiji first imprisoned in India?

A. 1893 before he left for South Africa

B. 1915 as soon as he returned from South Africa

C. 1919 when he gave a call for general Hartal

D. 1922 after he announced Civil Disobedience against the British government

3. For how long was Gandhiji imprisoned in 1922?

A. One week B. One month

C. One year D. 6 years

4. In which prison (was Gandhiji imprisoned in 1922)?

A. Pune Central Jail B. Lahore Central Jail

C. Yeravada Central Jail D. Delhi Central Jail

5. The pact signed by Gandhiji while in jail in 1932

A. Yeravada Pact B. Gandhi Irwin Pact

C. Gandhi Jinnah Pact D. Hindu Muslim Unity Pact


Gandhiji's Sentences


1. B 1908 in South Africa, Gandhiji was arrested on 11th January 1908 for defying the

Registration Act in South Africa - he asked the Magistrate to impose upon him the

heaviest penalty - Gandhiji was sentenced to 2 months’ simple imprisonment but was

released on 30th January 1908 after his meeting with General Smuts (Gandhiji met

Smuts in his prison uniform). Secretary to General Smuts gave Gandhiji the fare to

Johannesburg.

“I had some feeling of awkwardness due to the fact that I was standing as an accused

in the very court where I had often appeared as a Counsel. But I considered the former

role as far more honourable and did not feel the slightest hesitation in entering the

prisoner's box.”

2. D 1922, Gandhiji was arrested on 10th March 1922 on the charge of sedition.

The judge (Mr. Robert Bloomfield) bowed to Gandhiji as he took his seat and again

when he left. He said, "It will be impossible to ignore the fact that you are in a different

category from any person I have ever tried or am likely to have to try. In the eyes of

millions of your countrymen, you are a great patriot and a great leader."

“Non-cooperation with evil is as much my duty as is cooperation with good.”

3. D 6 Year, A British judge had earlier sentenced Tilak for 6 years. Judge Robert

Bloomfield said, "You will not consider it unreasonable that you should be classed with

Mr. Tilak." Gandhiji replied that he regarded it as the proudest privilege and honor. “I

invite highest penalty for what in law is a crime but to me is the highest duty of a

citizen"


4. C Yeravada Central Jail, Gandhiji was imprisoned in the Yeravada Central Jail at

Kirkee in Pune. Gandhiji called it "Yeravada Mandir (temple)".

5. A Yeravada Pact, Yeravada Pact was an agreement between the Hindu and the

Harijan leaders that ended Gandhiji's fast.

Gandhiji was imprisoned for a total of 249 days in South Africa and 2,089 days in India.


Sentences in South Africa

Gandhiji's first prison sentence was for 2 months – he was imprisoned on 10th January

1908 and was lodged in Johannesburg Jail but was released prematurely on 31st January

1908.

Arrested on 7th October 1908 - sentenced for 2 months’ hard labour

(digging up earth with shovels) - lodged in Valkrust Jail - released prematurely on 12th

December 1908

Arrested on 25th February 1909 - sentenced for 3 months - released on 24th May 1909

In November 1913, Gandhiji marched into Transvaal with 2,037 men, 127 women and

57 children to protest against the 3 pound Sterling tax on indentured Indian labourers.

He was arrested - released - rearrested - rereleased and arrested third time in 4 days

– sentenced for 9 months - lodged in Pretoria Central Jail but released prematurely on

18 December 1913.


Sentences in India

"Gandhi is now a semi-divine person against whom we should not take action except in

direst extremity." Sir William Vincent, Home Member 1920.

"It is a matter of no pride or pleasure for me but one of humiliation that the

Government refrained from arresting me for fear of an outbreak of violence."

"When they sought to lay hold on him, they feared the multitudes, because they took

him for a prophet" The Arrest of Jesus and Gandhi in The Modern Review

"(after Gandhi's arrest) not a dog barked" Viceroy

Gandhiji was detained on 10th April 1919 while going to Punjab after the Jallianwalah

Bagh massacre

On another occasion, he was sentenced for 6 years on charges of sedition - he was

imprisoned on 10th March 1922 but was released prematurely in January 1924 when he

developed appendicitis and needed an operation

Arrested in March 1929 for burning foreign cloth – fined one rupee

4th - 5th May 1930 midnight 00.45 AM - arrested without trial - thirty policemen armed

with rifles - telephone and telegraphic connections were cut off (American press called

it "Saint napping") - released in January 1931 for talks with Lord Irwin

Arrested on 4th January 1932 - released on 8th May 1933 after his self-purification fast

On yet another occasion, he was sentenced for one year - he was imprisoned on 1st

August 1933 but was released on 20th August 1933 after he started fasting from 16th

August for not being allowed to work for the untouchables in the prison

Arrested on 9th August 1942 and released on 6th May 1944 due to ill health - this was

his last sentence


Gandhiji's Fasts

Questions

Putlibai, Gandhiji's mother, was a deeply religious lady who used to observe Chaturmas

- a vow of fasting and semi-fasting during the four months of rains (cf. the long lent of

the Christians).

During Gandhij's fasts, his wife Kasturbai also restricted her diet to just one meal of

fruits and milk each day.

"The same kind of coercion which Jesus exercises upon you from the Cross." when asked

"Isn't your fasting a species of coercion?"

1. Gandhiji first fasted in South Africa

A. Against his being thrown out of train

B. Against not being allowed to wear turban

C. Against Asiatic law

D. As penitence for sodomy committed by some residents of Phoenix farm

2. For whom did Gandhiji undertake his first fast in India in 1918?

A. Champaran farmers B. Ahmedabad textile mill workers

C. Untouchables D. Muslims

3. In 1924 Gandhiji fasted for (cause)

A. Hindu Muslim unity B. Untouchables

C. Jalianwallah Bagh Massacre D. Soldiers killed in Chauri Chaura

4. When did Gandhiji fast for the untouchables?

A. 1919 B. 1924

C. 1932 D. 1942


5. Where did Gandhiji fast in September 1947?

A. Delhi B. Calcutta

C. Noakhali D. Lahore

6. When did Gandhiji undertake his last fast?

A. 1942 during the Quit India movement

B. August 1947 just before independence to protest against partition

C. August 1947 just after independence to stop communal riots in Calcutta

D. January 1948 to stop communal riots in Delhi


Gandhiji's Fasts


1. D As Penitence for sodomy committed by some residents of Phoenix farm,

Gandhiji fasted for 7 days and ate only one meal a day for 4 and ½ months as penitence

for sodomy committed by some residents of Phoenix farm

“Ashram had its rules - always strict, often stern and sometimes harsh" an inmate

observed

2. B Ahmedabad textile mill workers, Gandhiji fasted for the rights of the Ahmedabad

textile mill workers in 1918

In 1919 Gandhiji undertook a 72-hour fast as penance for violence during the General

hartal.

Gandhiji undertook a 3-day penitential fast for the tragedy in Jalianwallah Bagh in 1919

Gandhiji fasted for 5 days for the riots during the visit of Prince of Wales in 1921

3. A Hindu Muslim unity, In 1924, Gandhiji fasted in the house of Mohammed Ali for

21 days from 17th September to 8th October for Hindu Muslim unity

4. C 1932, Gandhiji started the fast against the Communal Award (separate electorate

for the depressed classes) on 20th September 1932 while in Yeravada Jail. He was of

the opinion that the separate electorate will retain the social stigma of untouchability

and will divide India. He broke the fast on 26th September. Poona Act did away with

separate electorates but doubled the representation of the depressed classes in the

provincial legislatures.

"The fast was nothing compared with the miseries that the outcastes have undergone

for ages"


"It is sacrificing (your) precious life for the sake of India's unity and her social integrity"

Rabindra Nath Tagore, on Gandhiji's fast unto death against separate electorates for

the depressed classes

Bhim Rao Ambedkar, however, called his fast a "political stunt”.

7 day fast in 1925

8th May 1933 - announced a 21 day self-purification fast in prison - Britain did not want

a dead Gandhi within prison walls - he was released - he, however, continued to fast

outside the prison also and survived

3rd March - 7th March 1939 - fast unto death - refusal of a local Rajkot diwan (prince)

to keep his promises made to the local people in an agreement with Vallabh Bhai Patel

In 1942, Gandhiji undertook a 21 day fast - the British government had even arranged

sandalwood for his cremation: the same was used to cremate Gandhiji's wife Kasturbai

who died in February 1944

21 day fast in jail from 10th February 1943 in jail as appeal from the Government to

God for justice

"political blackmail with no justification" Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India

"let him starve, if he insists" Winston Churchill

"The King should release Gandhi unconditionally and apologize to him for the mental

defectiveness of his cabinet" George Bernard Shaw

5. B Calcutta, Gandhiji fasted in Calcutta (now Kolkata) for 4 days from

1st September 1947 against communal riots following partition of India into India and

Pakistan

"Mahatmaji has conferred on us his purity." Suhrawardy, who offered him juice to break

his fast.

"Gandhi succeeded against the British (to achieve independence) but failed against the

Indians (to avoid partition)."


6. D January 1948 to stop Communal riots in Delhi, Gandhiji, aged 78 then, started

a fast unto death at Birla House in Delhi on 13th January 1948 to stop violence against

Delhi Muslims and to force the new Indian government to handover 550 million rupees

to Pakistan. He broke the fast on 18th January 1948 when all religious groups pledged

for peace - Maulana Azad handed him a glass of juice to break his fast. The Indian

government had already relented earlier and given 550 million rupees to Pakistan.

"Death for me would be a glorious deliverance rather than that I should be a helpless

witness to the destruction of India, Hinduism, Sikhism or Islam."

“It takes a fast to bring you to me." Gandhiji to Lord and Lady Mountbatten when they

visited him during his last fast.

"A new and tremendous wave of feeling and desire of friendship between the two

dominions (India and Pakistan) is sweeping the subcontinent in response to (Gandhiji's

last) fast (13-18 January 1948)" Sir Mohammed Zafrullah Khan, Foreign Minister of

Pakistan in the UN Security Council

"I do not think we could easily contemplate letting him die and to forcibly feed him

would arise intense feeling." A government official


Gandhiji's Death

Questions

"The light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere .... The light has

gone out, I said, and yet I was wrong.” Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of

India announcing Gandhiji's death to the nation.

1. How did Gandhiji die?

A. Natural death B. Accident

C. Bomb blast D. Shot

2. Few days before his assassination on 30th January, a grenade was thrown at his

meeting. Who was the person involved?

A. Nathuram Godse B. Narayan Apte

C. Madan Lal Pahwa D. Madan Lal Dhingra

3. An important person whom Gandhiji met just before his death

A. Jawahar Lal Nehru B. Lord Mountbatten

C. Sardar Patel D. Mohammad Ali Jinnah

4. What was Gandhiji going to do when Gandhiji was assassinated?

A. Address the parliament B. Meet Lord Mountbatten

C. Address a prayer meeting D. Meet Mohammad Ali Jinnah

5. Name of the person who assassinated Gandhiji

A. Nathuram Godse B. Narayan Apte

C. Madan Lal Pahwa D. Gopal Godse


6. How many shots were fired?

A. 1 B. 2

C. 3 D. 4

7. What were Gandhiji's last words at the time of his assassination?

A. Jai Hind B. Hey Bhagwan

C. God bless you D. Hey Ram

8. Where was Gandhiji assassinated?

A. Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad B. Birla House in Delhi

C. Birla Mandir in Calcutta D. Raj Ghat in Delhi

9. What was the date of Gandhiji's assassination?

A. 2nd October 1948 B. 30th January 1948

C. 2nd October 1949 D. 30th January 1949

10. What was the day of Gandhiji's assassination?

A. Monday B. Wednesday

C. Friday D. Sunday

11. What was the time of Gandhiji's assassination?

A. 10.12 AM B. 2.24 PM

C. 5.16 PM D. 8.38 PM

12. Who declared Gandhiji dead?

Dr. Jivraj Mehta Dr. BC Roy

Dr. Sushila Nayyar Dr. DP Bhargava


13. When was Gandhiji cremated?

A. 30 January 1948 B. 31st January 1948

C. 1st February 1948 D. 5th February 1948

14. Gandhiji's body was carried on

A. Bullock cart B. Horse carriage

C. Open truck D. Weapon carrier

15. Who was in charge of Gandhiji's death parade?

A. Sardar Patel B. Jawahar Lal Nehru

C. Lord Mountbatten D. Roy Bucher

16. Where was Gandhiji cremated?

A. Birla House B. India Gate

C. Rajghat D. Shantivan

17. Who lit the pyre?

A. Ramdas B. An untouchable

C. Lord Mountbatten D. Jawahar Lal Nehru

18. Where were Gandhiji's ashes immersed?

A. Haridwar B. Rameshwaram

C. Allahabad D. Mansarovar

19. When was Nathuram Godse arrested?

A. Moments after shooting B. Same night

C. December 1948 D. Never


20. Where was the trial of Gandhiji's assassins held?

A. Supreme Court of India B. Red Fort

C. Andaman and Nicobar islands D. London

21. Who was (were) executed for Gandhiji’s assassination?

A. Godse only B. Apte only

C. Godse and Apte D. Godse, Apte and Madan Lal


Gandhiji's Death


1. D Shot, Gandhiji was shot dead.

"If l am to die by the bullet of a madman, I must do so smilingly."

2. C Madan Lal Pahwa, On 20th January 1948, Madan Lal Pahwa threw a bomb about

75 feet from where Gandhiji was addressing a gathering.

Madan Lal Dhingra was the one who had assassinated Sir Curzon Wyllie, Political

Secretary to the Secretary of State for India, in UK.

3. C Sardar Patel, Sardar Patel - Deputy Prime Minister in the new Indian Government

– met Gandhiji at 4 PM to discuss his (Patel's) differences with Jawahar Lal Nehru, the

new Prime Minister of independent India.

4. C Address a prayer meeting, Gandhiji got late (unusual for him, as he was known

for his punctuality) for the daily evening prayer meeting by 10 minutes because of his

discussions with Sardar Patel.

5. A Nathuram Godse, Nathuram Vinayak Godse – a 35 year old Chitpawan Brahmin -

was a member of the Hindu Mahasabha and editor of a newspaper

Hindu Rashtra.

The first reaction of Lord Mountbatten when he was told of Gandhiji's assassination was

“who was it – a Hindu or a Muslim?" because he feared that if it were a Muslim, India

would see the worst of massacres. When, at 6.00 PM All India Radio announced

Gandhiji's death, it was specifically mentioned that the assassin was a Hindu.


6. C 3, Three shots were fired by Nathuram Godse at a distance of less than 2 feet from

a 9 mm Beretta automatic pistol. The first bullet entered the abdomen, second and

third entered the chest. Two came out while the third lodged in the lungs.

"I asked for the chest to be left bare. No soldier ever had a finer chest than Bapu's"

Devadas Gandhi, the youngest son of Gandhiji

"The saintly ambassador of non-violence has fallen victim to violence" Generalissimo

Chiang Kai Shek of China

"Like Jesus Christ, the prince of peace, has died on the flaring cross" Asaf Ali, Governor

of Orissa

7. D Hey Ram, It was Rambha, Gandhiji's childhood nurse, who had taught him to repeat

Ram's name whenever he was afraid.

“If someone shot at me and I received his bullet in my bare chest without a sigh and

with Ram's name on my lips, only then should you say that I was a true Mahatma." and

that is exactly how the end came

"So serene was the face and so mellow the halo of divine light that surrounded the body

that it seemed almost sacrilegious to grieve" Devadas Gandhi, Gandhiji's youngest son

8. B Birla House in Delhi, Gandhiji was assassinated at the Birla House in Delhi. The

Aditya Birla group of industries has established a digital Gandhi museum at the Birla

House - worth a visit!

9. B 30th January 1948, Gandhiji was shot dead by Nathuram Godse on 30th January

1948 as he was going for his daily evening prayer meeting at the Birla

House in New Delhi.

"Neither of us will ever forget the afternoon we first talked to Mountbatten of Gandhi's

death. Suddenly we both realized that this man who prided himself on being a

professional warrior was crying. Openly, unashamedly crying, as he described entering


the Birla House that January afternoon and seeing Gandhi's body laid out on his straw

pallet." Larry Collins and Dominique Lappier, on interviewing Lord Mountbatten for

their book ‘Mountbatten and Independent India’

10. C Friday, 30th January 1948, the day of Gandhiji's assassination, was a Friday

"I never saw Gandhi. I do not know his language. I never set foot in his country and yet

I feel the same sorrow as if I had lost someone near and dear. The whole world has

been plunged into mourning by the death of this extraordinary man." Leon Blum, French

Socialist

11. C 5.16 PM, Gandhiji was shot dead by Nathuram Godse on 30th January 1948 at

5.16 PM as he was going for his daily evening prayer meeting at the Birla

House in New Delhi.

12. D Dr DP Bhargava, It was one Dr DP Bhargava who declared him dead about 10

minutes after he was shot in the chest.

“Another crucifixion" Pearl S Buck, Novelist

13. B 31st January 1948, Gandhiji was assassinated on 30th January 1948 at

5.16 PM and was cremated on the next day 31st January 1948 at 4.45PM

"The loss of this unique personality will be received with sorrow not only in his country

but also in all parts of the world." Clement Attlee

14. D Weapons Carrier, A Dodge army weapons carrier pulled by 200 men from the

Indian Army, Navy and Air Force by four stout ropes.


15. D Roy Bucher, Maj Gen Roy Bucher – first Commander in Chief of the Indian Army.

Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was requested by the Indian Government to stay on as

the First Governor General (India was still not a Republic and thus had no President),

marched on foot.

16. C Rajghat, Gandhiji was cremated according to Hindu rites at Rajghat on the banks

of River Yamuna in Delhi. Lord and Lady Mountbatten sat on the grass with ministers of

the new Indian Government. All foreign dignitaries who visit New Delhi make it a point

to pay their homage to the Mahatma at Rajghat.

17. A Ramdas, Ramdas, Gandhiji's third son, lit the pyre.

18. C Allahabad, Gandhiji's ashes were carried in coach no. 2949 in a special train of

five (5) Third Class (Indian Railways had three classes then) coaches – it left Delhi on

11th February 1948 and reached Allahabad on 12th where his ashes were immersed at

the holy sangam (confluence) of rivers Ganga and Yamuna (and the mythical Saraswati).

19. A Moments after shooting, The assassin Nathuram Godse was arrested moments

after he shot Gandhiji.

"My respect for the Mahatma was deep and deathless. It, therefore, gave me no

pleasure to kill him." Godse said later.

"When the enemy himself sides with you, the contest becomes completely unbalanced."

Narayan Desai, son of Mahadev Desai (Gandhiji's secretary)

20. B Red Fort, Only most important political trials were held in the Red Fort at Delhi.

Bahadur Shah Zafar was tried in the Red Court in 1857 so was the Indian National Army

in 1945.


21. C Godse and Apte, Justice Atma Charan tried Nathuram Godse and seven other

conspirators: Godse and Narayan Apte were executed at Ambala Jail on 15th November

1949; others (except Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who was acquitted) were imprisoned

for life.


Gandhiji and Indians

Questions

1. Which Indian leader visited Gandhiji in South Africa?

A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak B. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

C. Moti Lal Nehru D. Pheroze Shah Mehta

2. An Indian businessman who donated Rs. 25,000 for Gandhiji's satyagraha movement

in Transvaal in South Africa

A. Ghanshyam Das Birla B. Jamshetji Tata

C. Amba Lal Sarabhai D. Gujar Mal Modi

3. Who was Gandhiji's political guru?

A. Gopal Krishna Gokhale B. Sardar Patel

C. Bal Gangadhar Tilak D. Moti Lal Nehru

4. Who gave the honorific of Mahatma to Gandhiji?

A. Gopal Krishna Gokhale B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

C. Rabindra Nath Tagore D. Lala Lajpat Rai

5. Which young man was recruited by Gandhiji in Kheda satyagraha in 1918?

A. Jawahar Lal Nehru B. Vallabh Bhai Patel

C. Vinoba Bhave D. JB Kriplani

6. The leper whom Gandhiji admitted to his ashram?

A. Mahadev Desai B. Parchure Shastri

C. Pyare Lal D. Raj Kumar Shukla


7. A businessman whom Gandhiji morally adopted as his fifth son

A. Ghanshyam Das Birla B. Ratanji Jamshetji Tata

C. Jamnalal Bajaj D. Gujar Mal Modi

8. Who called Gandhiji "our Mickey Mouse"?

A. Carolina Nadia B. Lady Mountbatten

C. India Gandhi D. The Queen of England

9. Gandhiji called him Punjab Cesar (the Lion of Punjab)

A. Gopal Krishna Gokhale B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

C. Sardar Patel D. Lala Lajpat Rai

10. Who was known as the Frontier Gandhi?

A. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan B. Mohammad Ali Jinnah

C. Mohammad Ali D. Shaukat Ali

11. Name of the student who became Gandhiji's disciple after listening to his speech

at the Kashi Hindu Vishvavidyalaya (Benaras Hindu University BHU) at Benaras (now

Varanasi) in 1916 and who went on to become the spiritual successor of Gandhiji.

A. Jawahar Lal Nehru B. Vinoba Bhave

C. Morarji Desai D. JB Kriplani

12. What did Gandhiji called Rabindra Nath Tagore?

A. Grand Old Man of India B. The poet

C. Gurudev D. Sardar

13. Who was Gandhiji's industrialist friend?

A. Ghanshyam Das Birla B. JD Tata

C. SP Godrej D. Gujar Mal Modi


14. Who said "The light has gone out of our lives" after Gandhiji was shot?

A. Lord Mountbatten B. Sardar Patel

C. Albert Einstein D. Jawahar Lal Nehru

15. Name of Gandhiji's secretary

A. Mahadev Desai B. Vinoba Bhave

C. Morarji Desai D. C Rajgopalachari

16. Which prominent Indian leader was Gandhiji's samadhi (in-law)?

A. Jawahar Lal Nehru B. Abul Kalam Azad

C. C Rajgopalachari D. Morarji Desai

17. Which son accompanied Gandhiji to London for the Round Table Conference?


C. Ramdas D. Devdas

18. Which Indian businessman accompanied Gandhiji to London for the Round

Table Conference at Gandhiji's invitation?

A. Ghanshyam Das Birla B. Jamshetji Tata

C. Amba Lal Sarabhai D. Gujar Mal Modi

19. On 8th June 1944, in his broadcast on the Azad Hind Radio from Rangoon who for

the first time addressed Gandhiji as the Father of the Nation?

A. Ne Win B. Subhash Chandra Bose

C. U Thant D. Jawaharlal Nehru


20. Muslim League leader who stayed with Gandhiji in Calcutta (now Kolkata) during

the communal riots?

A. Mohmmad Ali Jinnah B. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy

C. Abul Kalam Azad D. Abdul Ghaffar Khan

21. Two young ladies whom Gandhiji called his ‘walking sticks'

A. Abha B. Indira

C. Sarojini D. Manu

22. Young woman with whom Gandhiji slept in Srirampur in 1946 as a chastity

experiment

A. Abha B. Sarojini

C. Manu D. Mirabehn


Gandhiji and Indians


1. B Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gopal Krishna Gokhale visited Gandhiji in South Africa in

October 1912.

"in His (Gokhale's) presence one is ashamed to do anything unworthy."

"Sir Pheroze Shah (Mehta) seemed to me like the Himalaya and the Lokmanya (Bal

Gangadhar Tilak) like an-ocean but (Gopal Krishna) Gokhale was the Ganges. The

Himalaya was unscaleable, one could not easily launch forth on the ocean but one

could have a refreshing bath in the holy Ganges.

2. B Jamshetji Tata, Industrialist Jamshetji Tata, the "father of Indian industry",

donated Rs. 25,000 for Gandhiji's satyagraha movement in South Africa.

3. A Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gopal Krishna Gokhale was the founder of the Servants

of India Society.

"(Gopal Krishna Gokhale was) pure as crystal, gentle as a lamb, brave as a lion, and

chivalrous to a fault."

4. C Rabindra Nath Tagore, Rabindra Nath Tagore called Gandhiji Mahatma in 1915.

"A prophet who lived in the slums of politics." Arnold Toynbee

"The Moses of India"

5. B Vallabh Bhai Patel, Gandhiji recruited Vallabh Bhai Patel (later known as Sardar

Patel) during the Kheda satyagraha in 1918. The pattidars, the dominant landed

agricultural caste of Kheda, wanted revenue assessment to be suspended.


6. B Parchure Shastri, Lepers were persecuted by the society out of sheer ignorance.

In 1939, Gandhiji was in Simla (the summer capital of British India) for talks with the

Viceroy. There was to be a break for a week - Gandhiji returned to Sevagram (for two

days only) to nurse Parchure Shastri, a leper.

Mahadev Desai and Pyare Lal were Gandhiji's secretaries.

7. C Jamnalal Bajaj, Jamnalal Bajaj was a matchmaker to a large number of youth and

was jokingly called ‘Shadiy' Lal Bajaj.

8. A Carolina Nadia, Gandhiji had large protruding ears (especially right); Carolina

Nadia – the nightingale of India - called him 'our Mickey Mouse’.

9. D Lala Lajpat Rai, Lala Lajpat Rai, called Punjab Kesari (the Lion of Punjab) by

Gandhiji, was killed by a lathi (stick) blow during a protest against the Simon

Commission in 1928 in Lahore.

10. A Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Pashtun Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan established an

organization called Khudai Khidmatgar and spearheaded the Red Shirts Movement.

Anecdote: The Author had a chance to meet Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan when he was

admitted to the All India Institute of Medical sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi - a special

bed had to be devised to accommodate the more than 6 feet tall frame of Khan.

Mohammad Ali and Shauakt Ali were brothers who led the Khilafat Movement (1919-

1924).

11. B Vinoba Bhave, "his (Gandhiji's) spirit was able to transform men of dust into

heroes." Vinoba Bhave said


12. C Gurudev, Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore received the Nobel Prize for Literature

in 1913 for his poetic work Gitanjali.

13. A Ghanshyam Das Birla, Gandhiji spent the last 4 months of his life at the Birla

House in New Delhi where he was assassinated on 30th January 1948.

14. D Jawahar Lal Nehru, The Author encourages every reader to listen to this speech

by Pandit (Sanskrit: erudite) Jawahar Lal Nehru on the You Tube.

15. A Mahadev Desai, Mahadev Desai worked as Gandhiji's secretary from 1917 to 1942.

Desai would walk from Wardha to Sevagram, a total of 22 miles - sometimes twice in a

day. He died in prison in Agha Khan Palace on 15th August 1942 and was cremated in

the prison itself without informing his family.

"Willingness to sacrifice without resentment was beauty of non-violent struggle. I felt

a kind of pride that kaka (father) died in prison." Narayan Desai, son of Mahadev Desai

Pyare Lal also became a Secretary to Gandhiji later.

16. C C Rajgopalachari, Gandhiji's youngest son Devadas married C Rajgopalachari's

daughter Lakshmi.

17. C Ramdas, Gandhiji's third son Ramdas accompanied him to London for the Round

Table Conference.

18. A Ghanshyam Das Birla, Industrialist Ghanshyam Das Birla accompanied Gandhiji

to London for the Round Table Conference at his invitation.


19. B Subhash Chandra Bose, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose called Gandhiji the Father

of the Nation.

20. B Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy went on to become

the Prime Minister of Pakistan (1956-1957).

21. A & D Abha & Manu, Abha was the wife of Kanu Gandhi, grandson of Gandhiji's

cousin and Manu was a granddaughter of Gandhiji's another cousin.

22. C Manu, 77 year old Gandhiji slept with much younger Manu as a part of his chastity

experiment.

“Ability to retain and assimilate vital fluid is a matter of long training." Gandhiji was

of the opinion that control over vital fluids enhanced spiritual power.

"At a time when Marx was pitting worker against the capitalist, Gandhi was reconciling

them. At a time when Freud was liberating sex, Gandhi was reining it in." Nelson

Mandela


Gandhiji and Foreigners

Questions

1. Mr. Frederick Lely, the British political agent at Porbandar, refused to give Gandhiji

A. Admission to a college B. Scholarship to go to the UK for studying law

C. Bail against his arrest D. Permission to go to South Africa

2. Name of the pathan who attacked Gandhiji with a lathi (stick) in South Africa.

A. Sheikh Mukhtar B. Sheikh Mehtab

C. Mir Alam D. Dada Abdullah

3. A book which Gandhiji read in South Africa and which influenced him very much

A. Gita B. Unto This Last

C. War and Peace D. A Tale of Two Cities

4. Name of the person who donated land for Gandhiji's Tolstoy Farm at Johannesburg

in 1910.

A. Charles Andrews B. Jan Christian Smuts

C. Reginald Reynold D. Herman Kallenbach

5. "****go back".

A. Cripps B. Rowlett

C. Prince of Wales D. Simon

6. Film star whom Gandhiji met in UK in 1931

A. Sean Connery B. Elizabeth Taylor

C. Charles Chaplin D. Marilyn Monroe


7. Who called Gandhiji half-naked seditious fakir and miserable old man?

A. Lord Irwin B. Winston Churchill

C. Lord Mountbatten D. Dwight Eisenhower

8. The French author who wrote a book on Gandhiji

A. Leo Tolstoy B. Romain Rolland

C. GB Shaw D. Thoreau

9. Who was 'Deenbandhu'?

A. Louis Fischer B. Robert Payne

C. Romain Rolland D. Charles Freer Andrews

10. Who was Mira behn?

A. Madeleine Slade B. C Rajgopalachari's daughter

C. Jawahar Lal Nehru's sister D. Daughter of Gandhiji's cousin

11. Russian author with whom Gandhiji exchanged many letters

A. Dostoevsky B. Solzhenitsyn

C. Tolstoy D. Chekhov

12. American author and philosopher from whose writings Gandhiji got the idea of civil

disobedience.

A. Romain Rolland B. Leo Tolstoy

C. GB Shaw D. Henry David Thoreau


13. Fascist leader whom Gandhiji met while returning from the Round Table Conference

A. Hitler B. Mussolini

C. Himmler D. Rommel

14. Viceroy with whom Gandhiji signed a pact in March 1931

A. Lord Hasting B. Lord Linlithgow

C. Lord Irwin D. Lord Mountbatten

15. Gandhiji once said, "He had enough for both of us". Who was "He"?

A. King of England B. Jinnah

C. Churchill D. Hitler

16. Who called himself as Mahatma Minor while introducing himself to Gandhiji in 1931?

A. GB Shaw B. Albert Einstein

C. Romain Rolland D. Charlie Chaplin

17. Prime Minister of a neighboring country who visited Gandhiji after India's

independence.

A. Nepal B. Pakistan

C. Ceylon D. Burma

18. Who produced a world famous film on Gandhiji in 1982?

A. Richard Attenborough B. David Attenborough

C. Steven Spielberg D. Manoj Shyamalan

19. Who played the role of Gandhiji in this film?

A. Om Puri B. Ben Kingsley

C. Roshan Seth D. Naseeruddin Shah


20. The American biographer of Gandhiji

A. Vikram Seth B. Louis Fischer

C. Arthur Miller D. TS Eliot

21. Black American civil rights leader who used Gandhian methods to protest against

discrimination against the Blacks in the USA - was assassinated; his birthday on 15th

January is a national holiday (third Monday of January) in USA

A. Malcolm X B. Joseph Tutu

C. Martin Luther King D. Julius Nyerere

22. Used Gandhian methods of protest for labour rights in California USA in 1965 - called

'Gandhi of the fields'

A. Abraham Lincoln B. Cesar Chavez

C. Chi Guevara D. Fidel Castro

23. The mustachioed electrician of Gdansk shipyard who led Solidarity to protest

peacefully, using Gandhian methods, against communism – he went on to become the

President of Poland and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983

A. Henry Jablonski B. Aleksander Kwasniwski

C. Lech Kaczynski D. Lech Walesa

24. Irish civil rights leader who followed Gandhian methods of protest - went on to

receive the Gandhi Peace Award in 2001

A. David Trimble B. John Wilson

C. John Hume D. Sinn Fein


25. Opposition leader in Philippines who protested against the dictatorial rule of

Ferdinand Marcos using Gandhian methods – “****, our Gandhi" shouted the crowds after

his assassination in 1993 - his widow, Corazon, went on to become the President of

Philippines

A. Benigno Aquino B. Suharto

C. Ne Win D. U Thant

26. The lady opposition leader who has been protesting against the military regime of

Burma (now Myanmar) using peaceful methods – awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991

A. Megawati Sukarnoputri B. Aung San Suu Kyi

C. Sirimavo Banadarnayeke D. Golda Meir

27. Tibetan spiritual leader in exile who is following Gandhian methods of peaceful and

non-violent protest against forcible occupation of Tibet by China - received Nobel

Peace prize in 1989

A. Dalai Lama B. Sherpa Tenzing

C. Chou En Lai D. Mao Tse Tung

28. Black leader who followed Gandhian methods of protest against the apartheid

policy of the White regime of South Africa; he was imprisoned for 27 years to be

released in 1990

A. Thabo Mbeki B. Nelson Mandela

C. FW de Clark D. Desmond Tutu


Gandhiji and Foreigners


1. B Scholarship to go UK for studying law, "Mr. Lely turned his attention (from

Gandhiji) to other matters, unaware that he had just stood face to face with the ruin

of the Empire."

2. C Mir Alam, Under the agreement reached between Gandhiji and General Smuts,

Indians were to have voluntarily registered by giving fingerprints. Pathans were against

this and Mir Alam was angry with Gandhiji as he had volunteered to register himself as

per the agreement. Gandhiji became unconscious after the blow. He, however, wired

the Attorney General to say that he did not hold Mir Alam guilty. Later Mir Alam joined

the protest in the form of burning of registration certificates.

3. B Unto This Last, Gandhiji read Unto This Last by Ruskin Bond in South Africa in

1903

"That book marked the turning point in my life."

4. D Herman Kallenbach, Herman Kallenbach, a German Jew, donated his 1,100-acre

farm at Lawley (21 miles from Johannesburg) to Gandhiji - he took no rent from

Gandhiji. Satyagrahis were supposed to walk to Johannesburg and return the same day

– to save money.

5. D Simon, Sir John Simon landed in Bombay on 3rd February 1928 and left on 31st

March 1928; he was greeted with banners and posters saying "Simon, go back".

6. C Charles Chaplin, Gandhiji met Charles Chaplin in East London; he met Greta Garbo

also.


7. B Winston Churchill, The only time Gandhiji and Churchill met was in October 1906

when Gandhiji went to UK from South Africa as a member of a delegation and Churchill

was Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. At that time, Churchill had in fact

supported Gandhiji's campaign for equal rights for Indians in South Africa.

"It is alarming and also nauseating to see Mr. Gandhi, a seditious Middle Temple lawyer,

now posing as a fakir of a type well known in the East, striding half-naked up the steps

of the Vice-regal palace, while he is still organizing and conducting a defiant campaign

of civil disobedience, to parley on equal terms with the representative of the King-

Emperor." Winston Churchill

8. B Romain Rolland, Gandhiji visited Romain Rolland in Switzerland while returning

from UK after attending the Round Table Conference.

"What would you like me to do in grateful memory of your visit?" Rolland to Gandhiji

"Come and meet India." Gandhiji replied.

"I felt his grizzled head against my cheek. It was, I amuse myself thinking, the kiss of

St Dominic and St Francis" Rolland wrote to a friend

9. D Charles Freer Andrews, Deenbandhu (Sanskrit: friend of the poor) Charles Freer

Andrews was an emissary sent by Gopal Krishna Gokhale to meet Gandhiji in South

Africa.

"The Hindu saint had found no better saint than Andrews. The Christian missionary had

found no better Christian than Gandhi." Louis Fischer, Gandhiji's biographer

10. A Madeleine Slade, Madeleine Slade, daughter of a British Admiral, was an admirer

of Romain Rolland. She decided to meet Gandhiji when Rolland told her about him. She

was imprisoned along with Gandhiji in 1933.

11. C Tolstoy, "Received a pleasant letter from a Hindu of Transvaal. The letter of the

Transvaal Hindu has touched me." Leo Tolstoy


"Passive resistance is of the greatest importance not only for India but for the whole

humanity." Leo Tolstoy

"My father thought so much of you." Tatiana (Tolstoy's daughter), whom Gandhiji met

in Italy.

Gandhiji called himself "a humble follower of that great leader (Tolstoy) whom I have

long looked upon as one of my guides."

12. D Henry David Thoreau, The idea of civil disobedience came to Gandhiji from the

writings (1845-1849) of Henry David Thoreau

13. B Mussolini, Normally, the Duke (Mussolini) received visitors sitting at his desk far

from the door; for Gandhiji he walked towards the door and the two met halfway.

"He looked like a butcher with cat's eyes," Gandhiji about Mussolini

14. C Lord Irwin, Gandhiji and Lord Irwin talked for 24 hours in 8 meetings over 3

weeks (17th February to 4th March 1931). Irwin later wrote to King George V ". I think

most people meeting him would be conscious, as I was conscious, of a very powerful

personality, and this, independent of physical endowment, which indeed was

unfavorable. Small, wizened, rather emaciated, no front teeth, it is a personality very

poorly adorned with this world's trimmings. And you cannot help feeling the force of

character behind the sharp little eyes an immensely active and acutely working mind."

"The plain fact that the Englishman had been brought to negotiate instead of giving

orders outweighed any number of details." Robert Payne

"Gandhi, you do not have so much on, you know, that you can afford to leave this

behind." Viceroy Lord Irwin, picking his shawl which Gandhi left after their meeting in

1931.

15. A King of England, Gandhiji went to the Buckingham Palace to have tea with the

King George V and Queen Mary during the Round Table Conference. Asked whether he


had enough on (he was dressed in his typical loin cloth, shawl, sandals and watch) he

said, "He (the King) had enough for both of us".

"I have come back empty handed but I have not compromised the honour of my

country” (on returning from the Round Table Conference in 1931)

16. A GB Shaw, George Bernard Shaw visited India later in 1933 but could not meet

Gandhiji as he was in prison.

17. D Burma, U Nu, Prime Minister of Burma (now Myanmar) visited Gandhiji on 4th

December 1947.

18. A Richard Attenborough, Richard Attenborough's Gandhi (a must watch!) went on

to bag as many as 9 Academy Awards.

19. B Ben Kingsley, British actor Ben Kingsley, born as Krishna Pandit Bhanji to a

Gujarati doctor father and a British actor mother, received the Academy Award for the

Best actor for his portrayal of Gandhiji.

20. B Louis Fischer's, Louis Fischer's 'The Life of Mahatma’ is considered to be one of

the most authentic biographies of Gandhiji; it was used by Richard Attenborough for

his film Gandhi.

21. C Martin Luther King, "It may be through American Negroes that the unadulterated

message of non-violence will be delivered to the world." Gandhiji had said; - how

prophetic as Martin Luther King went on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

"If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable." Martin Luther King

"We may ignore Gandhi at our own risk." Martin Luther King


22. B Cesar Chevaz, Labor leader Cesar Estrada Chevaz's birthday on 31st March is an

official holiday in the states of California, Colorado and Texas.

‘Si se puede (it can be done)' was his favourite slogan

23. D Lech Walesa, It is rumored that Gillette offered Lech Walesa a sum of

US$ 11 million to shave off his trademark moustache for a commercial, but he refused.

24. C John Hume, The recipients of the Gandhi Peace Award instituted by the

Government of India in 1995 have included Julius Nyerere, President of Tanzania (1995)

and Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa (2000). John Hume of Ireland received

it in 2001.

25. A Benigno Aquino, Benigno Aquino was the ‘greatest President that we

(Philippines) never had’

26. B Aung San Suu Kyi, Aung San Suu Kyi was kept under house arrest by the military

junta of Myanmar for many years; she could receive the Nobel Prize, awarded to her

in 1991, in 2012 only after she was released.

27. A Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, lives in exile in Dharamshala in

HP India

28. B Nelson Mandela, Nelson Mandela was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1990, Nishan-e-

Pakistan in 1992 and Nobel Peace Prize in 1993; he went on to become the President

of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.


Gandhiji Miscellany

Questions

1. Indians call him Gandhiji. What does "ji" mean?

A. Old man B. Dear person

C. Grandfather D. Father

2. Gandhiji is also called Bapu. What does Bapu mean?

A. Saint B. Father

C. God D. Priest

3. What does Mahatma mean?

A. God's servant B. Great saint

C. Grandfather D. Great soul

4. Gandhiji is also called

A. Rashtrapati B. Rashtrapita

C. Rashtrapramukh D. Deshbhakta

5. What does satyagraha mean?

A. Truth always wins B. Truth is god

C. Force of truth D. Truth is great

6. What does ashram mean?

A. Place for communal living B. School

C. Temple D. Office


7. Where did Gandhiji establish his first Ashram?

A. Sevagram, Wardha B. Porbandar

C. Birla House, Delhi D. Sabarmati, Ahmedabad

8. Gandhiji ki "jai" is a popular slogan in India. What does "jai" mean?

A. Victory B. Long live

C. March ahead D. We are with you

9. What does ahimsa mean?

A. Truth B. Non-violence

C. Fast D. Prayer

10. What does sarvodaya mean?

A. Welfare to all B. Truth alone wins

C. God is great D. Be united

11. What does Harijan mean?

A. God's envoy B. Children of God

C. Servants of God D. Incarnation of God

12. What does swaraj mean?

A. New rule B. Self rule

C. Self restraint D. Fight for independence

13. What is home spun hand-woven cloth-called?

A. Charkha B. Jhanda

C. Khadi D. Topi


14. What is the spinning wheel called?

A. Jhanda B. Topi

C. Lathi D. Charkha

15. Gandhiji used to drink

A. Cow's milk B. Goat's milk

C. Camels' milk D. No milk

16. When did Gandhiji first read Gita?

A. In India as a school student B. In UK as a law student

C. In South Africa D. In India as a Congress leader

17. The disease Gandhiji had when he went to UK in 1914

A. Pleurisy B. Appendicitis

C. Abscess D. Cholera

18. Gandhiji was invited to the foundation ceremony of which University in 1916

A. Delhi University B. Aligarh Muslim University

C. Banaras Hindu University D. Shanti Niketan

19. The medal which Gandhiji returned to the Viceroy in 1917 during the Champaran

Struggle.

A. Victoria Cross B. Kaiser-e-Hind

C. Knighthood D. OBE

20. When and where did Gandhiji decide on his costume of dhoti and shawl?

A. 1890 in UK B. 1895 in South Africa

C. 1921 in Madurai, South India D. 1942 during Quit India movement


21. Which was the silent day of the week for Gandhiji?

A. Monday B. Tuesday

C. Thursday D. Saturday

22. During his imprisonment at Yeravada Central Jail, Gandhiji was operated on 12th

January 1924 for

A. Hernia B. Gall stones

C. Prostate D. Appendicitis

23. Where was he operated?

A. Hinduja Hospital B. Sassoon General Hospital

C. Pune Army Hospital D. Tata Memorial Hospital

24. The year of Gandhiji's political silence

A. 1919 B. 1926

C. 1942 D. 1947

25. What was Gandhiji's height?

A. 5'1" B. 5’5”

C. 5'9" D. 6'3"

26. What was Gandhiji's best weight?

A. 100 pounds B. 112 pounds

C. 136 pounds D. 154 pounds

27. What was Gandhiji's favorite hymn?

A. Gayatri Mantra B. Vande Mataram

C. Vaishnava Jana D. Raghupati raghav


28. Name of the English weekly edited by Gandhiji.

A. Young India B. Indian Voice

C. Free India D. Indian Times

29. Name of the Gujarati weekly edited by Gandhiji.

A. Swaraj B. Hind Samachar

C. Navjeevan D. Satyamev Jayate

30. The 31st March 1930 (as also 5th January 1931 and 30th June 1947) issue of a famous

international magazine featured Gandhiji on its cover

A. Time B. Life

C. Newsweek D. Reader's Digest

31. Gandhiji went to UK to attend the Round Table Conference in 1931. He visited an

industrial town.

A. Birmingham B. Manchester

C. Edinburgh D. Lancashire

32. Which eastern Asian country Gandhiji visited?

A. Japan B. Thailand

C. China D. Burma

33. India issued its first stamps (with Bapu written in Hindi and Urdu) on Gandhiji on

15th August 1948 - the first anniversary of India's independence. They were to be issued

on 2nd October of the same year on his birthday but were released prematurely as he

had died following his assassination in January 1948. After India, the first country to

issue stamps in his honour was

A. Pakistan B. Great Britain

C. USA D. South Africa


34. Name of the international film produced by Richard Attenborough on Gandhiji.

A. Gandhi B. Mahatma

C. Father of the Nation D. Angel of Truth

35. The only movie Gandhiji saw in his lifetime

A. Raja Harishchandra B. Shravan Kumar

C. Ramayana D. Ram Rajya

36. Where was Gandhiji on 15th August 1947 - the day India became independent?

A. Sabarmati B. Noakhali

C. Calcutta D. Delhi

37. Gandhiji's statue was erected in UK in

A. 1948 B. 1969

C. 2000 D. Not yet


Gandhiji Miscellany


1. B Dear Person ji, Ji is a suffix indicating affection and respect.

"Gandhi possessed most of the traits of a charismatic leader - he challenged the existing

order, held the vision of a millennium, had faith in his mission, drew devotion and

loyalty of millions due to his saintly life." Max Weber, German philosopher

"Hundreds of santhal and orain tribals confronted armed police, wearing Gandhi caps -

thinking it will give them immunity against bullets". BR Nanda,

Gandhiji's biographer

2. B Father, Gandhiji is also reverentially called bapu (father).

"Gandhi was not too revolutionary for his countrymen. If he had been so, he would have

frightened them instead of inspiring them, repelled them instead of drawing them."

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

3. D Great Soul, It was Rabindra Nath Tagore who called Gandhiji 'mahatma' in 1915.

"(In India, Gandhi) is not compared with some great statesman like Roosevelt or

Churchill. They classify him simply in their minds with Mohammed or Christ." Louis

Fischer, Gandhiji's biographer

"Gandhi is too much of a saint." Romain Rolland (Gandhiji visited Rolland at Villeneuve,

Lake Leman in Switzerland on his way back from the UK in 1931 and stayed with him

for 5 days)

4. B Rashtrapita, Rashtrapita (Sanskrit: Father of the nation)

"Gandhi happens to be a symbol of India" Jawahar Lal Nehru

"Mahatma gave a nation to a country" Percival Spear in his 'A History of India’


5. C Force of truth, Satyagraha = Holding on to truth - truth force; truth is the soul or

the spirit – satyagraha can also mean soul force

The principle of satyagraha (the resolve to oppose the Black Ordinance) came into

being even before the name was coined. Gandhiji wanted a Hindi name for the passive

resistance and announced a small prize in the ‘Indian Opinion’. The name was

suggested by Maganlal Gandhi, a cousin of Gandhiji - he had suggested sadagraha.

(firmness in good cause); Gandhiji changed it to satyagraha (firmness of truth or force

borne out of truth).

"Female tendencies were at least as strong in his mental make-up as male is not

satyagraha, the method of conquering by self suffering, a woman's tactic?" HN

Brailsford, British Socialist

"I know no other man of any time or indeed in recent history who so forcefully and

convincingly demonstrated the power of spirit." Sir Stafford Cripps, British politician

"The satyagraha succeeded in confronting and shaming the opponent without harming

or coercing him."

6. A Place for communal living, Ashram = a place for communal living

7. A Sevagram, Wardha, Satyagraha Ashram was established by Gandhiji on 25th May

1915 at Kochrab - a village across the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad. Story goes that

this was the place where the Ashram of Dadhichi - the hermit who gave up his bones to

be made into a thunderbolt for Indra - stood. On one side was a cremation ground; on

the other, a prison.

"People in my ashram should have no fear of death, nor of imprisonment."

Gandhiji shifted his ashram from Sabarmati to Wardha in 1933 and from Wardha to

Shegaon in 1936. Sevagram (originally called Shegaon) was 5 miles from Wardha - there

was no road - only a cart track.


Jamna Lal Bajaj (President of the Gandhi Seva Sangh) - had an old Ford car which was

drawn by a pair of oxen and called it ‘Oxford’.

"I am trying to become a villager - Sevagram has a population of about 600 - no roads,

no post office, no shop." Bajaj said

Mahadev Desai called the ashram “Bapu's menagerie"

8. A Victory, Jai = victory (Jai Hind = victory to India) is a common and popular

salutation in India

"He had marvelous power to turn ordinary men into heroes and martyrs." Gopal Krishna

Gokhale

9. B Non-Violence, "With Gandhi non-violence (ahimsa) was a creed, with Congress it

was a policy." Louis Fischer, Gandhiji's biographer

"His was a mode of warfare in which he could lose all the battles and still win the war."

BR Nanda, Gandhiji's biographer

10. A Welfare to all, Sarvodaya = Welfare to all

11. B Children of God, In 1915, Gandhiji admitted an untouchable (he called them

harijans = children of God) to his ashram in Ahmedabad.

12. B Self Rule, Gandhiji wrote 270 pages of a book titled Hind Swaraj (Indian Self rule)

on the ship's notepaper in 9 days of his return from UK in 1909; his visit had otherwise

been fruitless.

13. C Khadi, Khadi, also called Khaddar, is home spun hand-woven cloth; very

comfortable for the hot humid Indian summer.


"Gandhi's campaign for the development of the home cloth industry is not fad of a

romantic eager to revive the past, but a practical attempt to relieve the poverty and

uplift the standards of the village." GDH Cole, an economist

All India Village Industries Association established at Maganwadi, Wardha conducted

research into areas such as a hearth which can use the least amount of wood for

cooking, designing more efficient grindstone, bullock powered oil press, etc.

14. D Charkha, Bapu's birthday according to the Hindu calendar was Rentia Baras - the

spinning wheel day

Gandhiji used to spin about 500 yards on his charkha for about an hour every day - "I

am spinning the destiny of India."

15. B Goat's Milk, Gandhiji used to drink goat's milk only. The Syndicate of Milkmen of

Lemen volunteered to supply the "King of India" with dairy products during his stay in

UK.

16. A In UK As a Law Student, Gandhiji read the English translation (The Song Celestial)

of Gita by Sir Edwin Arnold in 1889 while in UK. He read the original text much later.

He also read the Bible and about Prophet Mohammad.

17. A Pleurisy, “Had it not been for severe attack of pleurisy which compelled him to

return home, he might have served in the battlefields of Middle East, and possibly lost

his life in defense of an Empire which he was destined to shake to its foundations." BR

Nanda, Gandhiji's biographer

18. C Benaras Hindu University, Gandhiji's speech on 6th February 1916 at the Benaras

Hindu University was his first major public appearance in India.


19. B Kaiser-e Hind, Kaiser-e Hind was awarded to him in 1915 New Year Honors for

his humanitarian work in South Africa. He returned it as a part of his non-cooperative

movement.

20. C 1921 in Madurai, South India, Dhoti is a long piece of cloth wrapped around the

waist and then up between the legs like a diaper but hangs low enough along the legs

to cover them. The longer version, worn by women, is called saree.

"Gandhi, a man of the people, almost the embodiment of the Indian peasant,

represented the ancient tradition of India, that of renunciation and asceticism."

Jawahar Lal Nehru

"This strange man with his bare feet and coarse garments, his tranquil eyes, and calm

kind smile that disclaims even while it acknowledges a homage that emperors cannot

buy." Sarojini Naidu 1917

"It costs a nation a fortune to keep him living in his poverty" Sarojini Naidu, commenting

on his ascetic lifestyle

"It seemed completely absurd. Here was a man in a loin cloth and with a lathi (bamboo

walking stick) going out to battle with the greatest empire that ever existed. Never

were the two sides more unequally matched. But here was something more than a little

man and a stick - here was the embodiment of an idea."

21. A Monday, Gandhiji used to observe silence on Mondays. He broke his silence twice

- once when his nephew Maganlal died and second time when

Mahadev Desai- his secretary - was ill.

"Silence is the true language of cosmic adoration." When a delegation from Ceylon

visited him, Gandhiji did not speak much. The delegation was disappointed and asked

him to say something. "I speak when I can improve upon silence" he replied (in writing).


22. D Appendicitis, During Gandhiji's operation for appendicitis, power went off and

the operation was completed using a hurricane lantern.

"The West has always commanded my admiration for its surgical inventions and all

round progress in that direction."

23. B Sassoon General Hospital, Gandhiji underwent the operation for appendicitis at

the Sassoon General Hospital, Bombay (now Mumbai) on 12th January 1924 by Colonel

Maddock. He was released unconditionally after his operation. Before his operation,

Gandhiji had issued a public statement that whatever happened, there must be no anti-

government agitation. Both authorities and Gandhiji knew that if the operation went

badly, India might burst into flames.

24. B 1926, During 1926, Gandhiji did not travel nor did he address any meetings.

"Poor Gandhi has indeed perished as pathetic a figure with his spinning wheel, as the

last minstrel with his harp." Lord Birkenhead, Secretary of State for India - to Lord

Reading, Viceroy in 1925 when Swarajists controlled Congress following collapse of

Gandhiji's non-cooperation movement in 1922

25. B 5’5” Gandhij's particulars recorded in jail - "height 5'5" (165 cm) Weight 100 Ib

(45 Kg), scar on right thigh, mole on right lower eyelid"

26. B 112 Pounds, Gandhiji's best weight was 112 pounds; he weighed 109 pounds a

day before his death.

27. C Vaishnava jana, ‘Vaishnava jana' was Written by Narsinha Mehta, a

15th century Kathiawad poet born in Junagarh (See Tid Bits).


28. A Young India, Shankar Lal Banker was the publisher of Young India - he was

arrested and imprisoned along with Gandhiji.

29. C Navjeevan, Young India and Navjeevan were Gandhiji's personal organs - he did

not accept any advertisements.

31. A Time, Ironically, when Time conducted the Person of the Century survey in 2000,

Gandhiji with 3.6% votes ranked 9th - Surprisingly even behind Hitler who ranked 3rd

with 11.4% votes and Martin Luther King (who adopted Gandhiji's methods to protest

against discrimination against the Blacks in the USA) who ranked 6th with 8.4% votes;

Elvis Presley ranked first with 13.7% votes.

31. D Lancashire, "I am one of the unemployed but if I was in India I would say the

same thing that Gandhiji is saying." A mill Worker in Lancashire, unemployed because

of boycott of English cloth in India

32. D Burma, Gandhiji visited Burma (now Myanmar); he also visited Ceylon (now Sri

Lanka) to collect money for khadi.

33. C USA, USA issued a stamp on Gandhiji in 1961 under the Champions of Liberty

series. Britain issued Gandhi stamps in 1969 to mark his birth centenary. As many as 77

countries (but not Pakistan, so far at least!) have issued stamps in his honour.

34. A Gandhi, Richard Attenborough's magnum opus Gandhi went on to receive 9

Academy Awards including the Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor.

35. D Ram Rajya, Gandhiji watched Ram Rajya (1943) produced by Vijay Bhatt in a

special screening on 22nd June 1944; Bhatt later produced the musical hit

Baiju Bawra also.


36. C Calcutta (Now Kolkata) "In Punjab, we have 55,000 soldiers and large scale rioting

on our hands. In Bengal, our forces consist of one man and there is no rioting." Lord

Mountbatten

"In principle, Gandhi denounced partition; in practice, he accepted it." MM Sankhdhar

37. B 1969, Gandhiji's statue was erected in UK in 1969 - his birth centenary year.

In USA, Gandhiji's statues have been erected in Atlanta, Houston, New York,

Washington, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Houston and St Louis

and Washington.

Recently, in 2011, Gandhiji's statue was erected in Strasbourg, France.


Gandhiji

Tid Bits

Two of Gandhiji's favorite hymns were

1. Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram, Patita Pawan Sita Ram;

Ishwar Allah Tere Naam, Sabko Sanmati De Bhagwan.

Chief of the house of Raghu, Lord Rama, uplifters of those who have fallen, Sita and

Rama;

God and Allah are your names, bless everyone with this wisdom, Lord.

2. Vaishnav Jana to taynay kahyeeye, Jay peerh paraayee janney ray

Par dukkhey upkar karey, Toyey man abhiman na anney ray.

Sakal lokma sahuney vandey, Ninda na karey kainee ray

Vaach kaach, man nischal raakhey, Dhan-dhan jananee tainee ray.

Samdristhi nay trishna tyagee, Par-stree jaynay mat ray Jivaah thaki asatya na bolay,

Par-dhan nav jhaley haath ray.

Moh maya vyaapey nahin jeyney, Drud vairagya jeyna manma ray

Ram-naam-shoon taalee laagee, Sakal teerth teyna tanma ray.

Vanalobhee ney kapatrahith chey, Kaam, krodh nivarya ray

Bhane Narsaiyon tainoo darshan kartan, Kul ekotair taryaa ray

Agodlike man is one, who feels another's pain

Who shares another's sorrow, and pride does disdain.


Who regards himself as the lowliest of the low, speaks not a word of evil against any

one

One who keeps himself steadfast in words, body and mind, blessed is the mother who

gives birth to such a son.

Who looks upon everyone as his equal and has renounced lust, and who honors women

like he honors his mother

Whose tongue knows not the taste of falsehood till his last breath, nor covets another's

worldly goods.

He does not desire worldly things, for he treads the path of renunciation

Ever on his lips is Rama's holy name, all places of pilgrimage are within him.

One who is not greedy and deceitful, and has conquered lust and anger

Through such a man Saint Narsaiyon has a godly vision, generations to come, of such a

man, will attain salvation

From www.gandhi-manibhavan.org

Gandhiji came back to India from South Africa in 1896 - the year of Queen Victoria's

Diamond Jubilee - as the only person in Rajkot who knew all the words of 'God Save the

Queen' he coached the school children to sing the anthem

"I had never in my life eaten so much mud." Reginald Craddock - a British Officer -when

Duke of Connaught, brother of King George V visited India in January 1921, he was

honored by the Princes and the dignitaries of the Government but the populace kept

aloof. Gandhiji arrived in Delhi the same day escorted by a triumphant procession.

Sir Stafford Cripps arrived in Delhi on 22nd March 1942 - he went to see Gandhiji on

27th March 1942. Gandhiji lay ill on the floor of his hut but offered a stool to Cripps "as

a concession to your English bones". Gandhiji said to Cripps "if this is your entire

proposal, I would advise you to take the next plane home". Cripps mission failed and

he left India on 12th April.


During his UK visit to attend the Round Table Conference in 1931, two Scotland Yard

detectives Sergeants Evans and Rogers were deputed to guard Gandhiji - on his return

to India he sent them a watch each - 'with love from MK Gandhi’

Gandhiji suspended his Civil Disobedience Movement from 25th December 1940 to 4th

January 1941 to enable the British officials enjoy Christmas without being called to

make arrests

"But I fancy that I have a knack for knowing the need of the time" Gandhiji said when

Jawahar Lal Nehru was unhappy with him on the voluntary withdrawal of the Civil

Disobedience Movement

Gandhiji's daily post averaged about a hundred letters - no communication remained

without a response – some hand written, some dictated - some through his publication

Harijan

‘The man who showed light to millions of Indians was himself afraid of dark - he slept

with a light burning by his bedside.’

Those who followed his methods of protest – Martin Luther King (1964), Lech Walesa

(1983), Dalai Lama (1989), Aung Sun Su Kyi (1991) and Nelson Mandela (1993) - received

Nobel Peace Prize but the original apostle of peace was never even considered for it.

Besides India, some other countries including Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Equatorial

Guinea, Mauritius and even South Africa have issued coins with Gandhiji's images.

Gandhiji never flew. In March 1947, Gandhiji was in Bihar to control communal riots.

The then Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, placed the vice regal plane at Gandhiji's

disposal to bring him to Delhi but Gandhiji preferred to travel by train.


Quotes on Gandhiji

"He is like a skilled surgeon performing an operation, rather than a physician

administering soothing drugs. And as his surgeons' knife cuts deep we can see at once

the recovery of the patient beginning to take place – the recovery of self-respect, the

regaining of true mankind or womanhood, the new spirit of independence." Charles

Freer Andrews (named Deenbandhu - friend of the poor - by Gandhiji)

"Gandhi's obstinacy had the quality of water in a pool - beaten with a steel rod the

water moves but comes back always to the same level." HC Armstrong, biographer of

General Smuts

"He was right, he knew he was right, we all knew he was right. The man who killed him

knew he was right." Pearl S Buck, American Nobel Laureate writer

"Not since Buddha has India so revered any man." Will James Durant, American writer

"No country but India and no religion but Hinduism could have given birth to a Gandhi."

Editorial, The Times of London

"Gandhi's effectiveness lay in evoking the best Gandhian impulses in his adversary."

Louis Fischer, Gandhiji's biographer

“The spiritual ambassador of India" French students who greeted him on his way to the

Round Table Conference in London 1931


"The West has built a large beautiful ship with all the comforts but it has no compass

and does not know where to go. Men like Gandhi found the compass." Werner Karl

Heisenberg, German physicist

"You are so sincere that you make some of us suspicious, and you are so simple that

you bewilder some of us." Laurence Housman, Playwright

"More than his words, his life was his message." Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India

(not related to Gandhiji, as many would believe)

"To Mahatma Gandhi who made Jesus and His message real to me." SK George, a Syrian

Christian of India and lecturer at Bishop's College, Calcutta while dedicating his book

entitled Gandhi's Challenge to Christianity

"He really is an interesting personality. He struck me singularly remote from practical

politics. It was rather like talking to someone who had stepped off one planet to this

for a short visit of a fortnight. But it was both interesting and instructing to meet him."

Lord Irwin British India's Viceroy 1927

"There can be few men in history who, by personal character and example have been

able so deeply to influence the thought of their generation." Lord Irwin, British India's

former Viceroy

"And so one of the most Christ like men in history was not called Christian at all."

E Stanley Jones, American Christian Missionary

"God uses many instruments, and he may have used Mahatma Gandhi Christianize

unchristian Christianity." E Stanley Jones, American Christian Missionary


"If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable.” Dr. Martin Luther King, African

American Civil Rights movement leader

"Having him in our house was like having a saint in the house." Prof. AB Lindsay, Master

of Balliol, Oxford

"We cannot fail eventually to adopt Gandhi's belief that the process of mass application

of force to resolve contentious issues is fundamentally not only wrong but contains

within itself the germs of self-destruction." General Douglas MacArthur, supreme Allied

military commander in Japan

"Mahatma Gandhi was the spokesman for conscience of all mankind." General George

C Marshall, US Secretary of State

"I and others may be revolutionaries but we are disciples of Mahatma Gandhi, directly

or indirectly, nothing more nothing less." Ho Chi Minh, President of North Vietnam 1945-

1969

"Persons in power should be very careful how they deal with a man who cares nothing

for sensual pleasure, nothing for riches, nothing for comfort or praise, or promotion,

but is simply determined to do what he believes to be right. He is a dangerous and

uncomfortable enemy, because his body which you can always conquer gives you so

little purchase upon his soul." Gilbert Murray, British Scholar in the Hibbert Journal

1918

"He came to the conclusion that the government which he had been trying to mend,

needed to be ended." BR Nanda, Gandhiji's biographer


"Gandhi has renewed, for all the peoples of the West, the message of their Christ,

forgotten or betrayed." Romain Rolland, French Nobel Laureate writer

"The deadlock has been due to unwillingness of the British Government to concede the

right of self government to the Indian people." FD. Roosevelt to Winston Churchill on

failure of the Cripps Mission

"Mahatma Gandhi will always be remembered as long as free men and those who love

freedom and justice live. His name has become synonymous with right and justice"

Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia 1916-1974

"The most remarkable man of the century" Sir Hartley Shawcross, British Attorney

General

"It was his life that proved to me more than anything else that Christianity is a

practicable religion even in the twentieth century." Rev. KM Simon, Syrian Orthodox

Church of Malabar

"His ideas formed a universal ethic, as applicable to Hitler and Stalin as to the Hindus."

Percival Spear in A History of India


Quotes by Gandhiji

British Rule

"I cannot and will not hate Englishmen. Nor will I bear their yoke."

“The British are weak in numbers. We are weak in spite of numbers."

“I want an honorable and equal partnership between Britain and India - held not by

force but by the silken cord of love."

"You may, if you like, cut us to pieces, you may shatter us at the cannon's mouth. If

you act contrary to our will we shall not help you, and without our help, we know

that you cannot move one step forward."

"The inequities are maintained in order to carry on a foreign administration,

demonstrably the most expensive in the world. Your (Viceroy's) salary is over

Rs. 21,000 per month - you are getting Rs. 700 per day – over 5,000 times the average

income of an Indian of 2 anna per day. British Prime Minister gets £ 5,000 per year,

i.e., Rs. 5,400 per month and Rs. 180 per day - only 90 times the average income of

a British of Rs. 2 per day."

Empire

"British Indians in Natal tender humble condolences to the Royal family in their

bereavement and join Her Majesty's other children in bewailing the Empire's loss in

the death of the greatest and most loved sovereign on earth." In a cable to London

on Queen Victoria's death in 1901

"It gives me great pleasure to re-declare my loyalty to the British Empire" at the

Annual Law Dinner at Madras (now Chennai) in 1915 (Gandhiji had strong patriotic

feelings as a citizen of the British Empire; the watershed event which changed his

loyalties was the massacre at the Jallianwallah Bagh in 1919)


"We do not seek independence out of Britain's ruin" (on - let us strike now when

Britain is engaged in the 2nd World War)

"It hurts me to find St. Paul's Cathedral damaged" (during the 2nd World War II)

"Not your son, Your Majesty, but the official representative of the British Crown."

To King George V, when he asked Gandhiji "Why did you boycott my son?"

"Encouragement is given not by Kings but by God" when asked whether the King gave

him any encouragement

"To my God I am a Hindu, to the British Prime minister I am an Indian."

When asked "how far would you cut India off from the Empire’ - "from the Empire,

entirely; from the British Nation, not at all"

"I aspire to be a citizen not in the Empire but in a Commonwealth"

Fasting

"Wherever there is distress which one cannot remove, one must fast and pray.”

Freedom

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err."

"Isolated independence is not the goal of the world states; it is voluntary

independence."

Himself

"I am not a visionary. I claim to be a practical idealist.”

"My method is empiric. All my conditions are based on personal experiences."

"Many say I am a saint losing myself in politics. The fact is that I am a politician

trying my hardest to be a saint."


"I am very imperfect. Before you are gone you will have discovered a hundred of my

faults, and if you don't, I will help you to see them." To Louis Fischer, his biographer

"I am just an ordinary human being full of weaknesses and sins but I have this one

thing that the poor recognize in me at once: they know that I share all their

hardships. You could have the same influence if you would do the same."

"Do I contradict myself? Consistency is a hobgoblin."

"At the time of writing I never think of what I have said before. My aim is not to be

consistent with my previous statements on a given question, but to be consistent

with the truth as it may present itself to me at a given moment. The result has been

that I have grown from truth to truth." on his contradictory statements

Humanity

"No human being is so bad as to be beyond redemption."

"It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the

humiliation of their fellow beings.”

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the

ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."

“All humanity is one undivided and indivisible family and each one of us is

responsible for the misdeeds of all the other - I cannot detach myself from the

wickedest soul."

Liquor

"No man or woman can pollute us by their presence, but opium and alcohol can -

they are the real untouchables."

Machinery

"What I object to is the crave for machinery, not machinery as such."


Nation

"My nationalism is intense internationalism. I am sick of the strife between nations

or religions."

“India must conquer her so-called conquerors by love. For us patriotism is the same

as love of humanity."

Non-violence

"Ahimsa (non-violence) means the largest love."

"He who believes in non-violence believes in a living God."

“Non-violence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed."

"Non-violence is not to be used ever as the shield of the coward. It is the weapon of

the brave."

"[He] alone is truly non-violent who remains nonviolent even though he has the

ability to strike."

"The principle of non-violence necessitates complete abstention from exploitation

in any form."

"Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose each other. There is no God

higher than truth."

"If we are to be non-violent, we must then not wish for anything on this earth

which... the lowest of human beings cannot have."

"Individuals or nations, who would practice non-violence, must be prepared to

sacrifice [everything] except honor."

"Ahimsa (non-violence) ... is not merely a negative state of harmlessness, but it is

a positive state of love, of doing good even to the evildoer.”

"Non-violence does not admit of running away from danger.... Between violence and

cowardly thought I can only prefer violence to cowardice."


"I have an implicit faith ... that mankind can only be saved through non-violence,

which is the central teaching of the Bible, as I have understood the Bible."

"If the Abyssinians had adopted the attitude of non-violence of the strong, that is,

the non-violence which breaks to pieces but never bends, Mussolini would have had

no interest in Abyssinia. Thus if they had said," You are welcome to reduce us to

dust and ashes but you will not find one Abyssinian ready to cooperate with you,"

what could Mussolini have done? He did not want a desert."

Organization

"Carefully kept accounts are a sine qua non for any organisation. Without them it

falls into disrepute. Without properly kept accounts it is impossible to maintain

truth in its pristine purity."

Passive resistance

"Passive resistance absorbs force and then destroys it."

Public service

"Procreation and the consequent care of children are inconsistent with public

service."

"l am definitely of the opinion that a public worker should accept no costly gifts."

(Gandhiji was bestowed with costly gifts including gold, silver and diamonds when

he left South Africa. He returned them all and forced Kasturbai also to return all

the gifts given to her.)

Politics

"If I seem to take part in politics, it is only because politics today encircle us like

the coils of a snake from which one cannot get out, no matter how much one tries.

I wish to wrestle with the snake."


Religion

"Where there is fear there is no religion."

"Make us better Hindus - that will be more Christian" To missionaries, on conversion

"It is easy enough to be friendly with one's friends. But to be friend the one who

regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion. The other is mere

business."

Reservations

"For administration to be efficient it must be in the hands of the fittest. There

should certainly be no favouritism. Those who aspire to occupy responsible posts in

the government of the country can only do so if they pass the required test."

Revenge

"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind."

Sacrifice

"The willing sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny

that has yet been conceived by God or man."

Satyagraha

"A satyagrahi is never afraid of trusting his opponents."

"A satyagrahi will harbor no anger - he will suffer the anger of the opponent."

"There can be no defeat for satyagrahi unless they forsake the truth and non-

violence and turn a deaf ear to inner voice."

"The satyagrahi would refuse to submit to whatever he considered to be wrong. He

would remain peaceful under all provocations. He would resist evil but would not

hate the evil-doer."


“In satyagraha, there is never danger from outside; danger is from within. Departure

from truth and non-violence under circumstances most tempting and provoking will

damn the movement."

Self

"Both heaven and hell are within us."

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony."

"I cannot conceive a greater loss to a man than the loss of his self-respect."

"The still small voice within you must always be the final arbiter when there is a

conflict of duty."

"Do not worry about what others are doing! Each of us should turn the searchlight

inward and purify his or her own heart as much as possible."

Social injustice

"A civilization is to be judged by its treatment of minorities."

"We are all children of one and the same God and, therefore, absolutely equal."

"Until the doors of the Temple are flung open to the Harijans, Jagannath will remain

lord only of the priests who make their living from the Temple.” (Gandhiji was

denied permission to enter the Jagannath temple)”

“[The Jews] have been the untouchables of Christianity. The parallel between their

treatment by Christians and the treatment of untouchables by Hindus is very close.

Religious sanction has been invoked in both cases for the justification of the

inhuman treatment meted out to them."


Strength

"Forgiveness is the ornament of the brave."

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attitude of the strong."

"I have known many meat eaters to be far more non-violent than vegetarians."

"Fearlessness is the first requisite of spirituality. Cowards can never be moral.”

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

"Strength of numbers is the delight of the timid. The valiant in spirit glory in fighting

alone."

"Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth

and acting accordingly."

Truth

"Truth hates secrecy."

"God is an eternal principle. Truth is God. Even atheists cannot doubt the necessity

of truth.”

Violence

"Exploitation is the essence of violence."

"Nothing enduring can be built on violence."

"Victory attained by violence is tantamount to defeat."

"Terrorism and deception are weapons not of the strong but of the weak."

"I am an uncompromising opponent of violent methods even to serve the noblest of

causes."

"Where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise

violence."

"War is a respectable term for goondaism [hooliganism] practiced on a mass or

national scale.”


"Hitler and Mussolini on the one hand and Stalin on the other are able to show the

immediate effectiveness of violence but it is as transitory as that of Genghis Khan's

slaughter."

“Popular violence is as much an obstruction in our path as Government violence.

Indeed, I can combat Government violence more successfully than popular

violence." on raid on police armory at Chittagong in 1930

War

"We must look the world in the face with calm and clear eyes even though the eyes

of the world are blood shot today." (8th August 1942).

Wealth

"All amassing of wealth or hoarding of wealth above and beyond one's legitimate

needs is theft.”

Western civilization

"I think it would be a great idea" when asked about the Western civilization

Miscellaneous

"Hate the sin and not the sinner."

"Love never claims, it ever gives."

"Evil means, even for good ends, produce evil results."

"No action must be undertaken for the sake of its fruits."

"Rights that do not flow directly from duty well performed are not worth having."

"It is not mass production but only production by the masses that can do the trick."


"Let us all be brave enough to die the death of a martyr, but let no one lust for

martyrdom."

"The seven social sins:... politics without principle, wealth without work, commerce

without morality, pleasure without conscience, education without character,

science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice."

"If a father does an injustice, it is the duty of his children to leave the parental roof.

If the headmaster of a school conducts his institution on an immoral basis, the pupils

must leave the school. If the chairman of a corporation is corrupt, the members

thereof must wash their hands clean of his corruption by withdrawing from it; even

so, if a Government does a grave injustice, the subjects must withdraw cooperation

wholly or partially, sufficiently to wean the ruler from his wickedness."


Bibliography

Nothing, except the idea and the format, in this Quiz is my original work. I have

borrowed, extensively, from various sources, anywhere and everywhere, both in print

as well as on the internet.

Following is a list of some of the important sources - there are many others.

Chandra B. Tripathi A, De B. Freedom Struggle. New Delhi: National Book Trust 1973.

Desai, Narayan. Bliss was it to be Young - with Gandhi. Bombay: Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan

1988. (Narayan Desai was Gandhiji's Secretary)

Fischer, Louis. The Life of Mahatma Gandhi. Bombay: Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan 1998. One

of the most authoritative biographies of Gandhiji.

Gandhi, Arun and Gandhi, Sunanda. The Untold Story of Kasturba - Wife of Mahatma

Gandhi. Mumbai: Jaico 2000.

Gandhi, MK. Satyagraha in South Africa, Ahmedabad: Navjivan Publishing House 1928.

Gandhi, MK, An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments with Truth. Ahmedabad:

Navjivan Publishing House 1927

Gandhi, Rajmohan, Mohandas: A True Story of a man, His People and an Empire. New

Delhi: Penguin 2007.

Horace, Alexander. Gandhi through Western Eyes, Philadelphia: New Society Publishers

1989.

Nanda BR. Mahatma Gandhi - a Pictorial Biography. New Delhi: Ministry of Information

and Broadcasting 1972

Payne, Robert. The Life and Death of Mahatma Gandhi. New Delhi: Rupa & Co. 1997.

Sarkar, Sumit, Modern India 1885-1947, New Delhi: Macmillan India 1983.


Links

www.gandhi.ca Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation, Edmonton Canada

www.gandhian.com

www.gandhibapu.com

www.gandhifoundation.org

www.gandhiinstitute.org, MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, Rochester NY USA

www.gandhiserve.org Gandhi Serve Foundation, Berlin Germany

www.gandhismaraknidhi.org

www.gandhismriti.gov.in

www.gandhistamps.com

www.mahatma.com

www.mahatma.org.in, Mahatma Gandhi Foundation, Mumbai India

www.mkgandhi.org

www.mkgandhi-sarvodaya.org

http://www.gandhi.ca/

http://www.gandhian.com/

http://www.gandhibapu.com/

http://www.gandhifoundation.org/

http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/

http://www.gandhiserve.org/

http://www.gandhismaraknidhi.org/

http://www.gandhismriti.gov.in/

http://www.gandhistamps.com/

http://www.mahatma.com/

http://www.mahatma.org.in/

http://www.mkgandhi.org/

http://www.mkgandhi-sarvodaya.org/


The ‘Gandhis' and 'The Gandhi’

Published in

Hurriyet Daily News Istanbul Turkey

Thursday, May 27, 2010

The recent Turkish headline of a new leader, who is sometimes dubbed as the Turkish

'Gandhi’, taking over the reins of the main opposition People's Republic Party (CHP)

was covered by various newspapers all over the world, including the Gulf News in the

Middle East. Is it because of the word ‘Gandhi’? Why some people are called 'Gandhis'?

Who was 'The Gandhi’? How does the Turkish ‘Gandhi’ resemble ‘The Gandhi'? Are there

any differences between them?

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a short-statured (height 5'5"), thin-built (weight 45

Kg), bald, bespectacled, prominent Mickey Mouse eared old man in India. Kemal

Kilacdaroglu (KK) has earned the nickname of Turkish 'Gandhi' because of his slight

frame and mild demeanor. But then there must be millions of men with such physical

features but none of them is called a ‘Gandhi’. To be called a 'Gandhi’, one has to have

the characters and traits, because of which 'The Gandhi' was called Mahatma (Sanskrit

= great soul). Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez, Lech Walesa, John Hume, Benigno

Aquino, Aung San Suu Kyi, Nelson Mandela and Dalai Lama had them and are, therefore,

sometimes called ‘Gandhis' in their countries and regions.

After becoming a barrister-in-law at the Inner Temple in UK, 'The Gandhi’ returned to

India in 1891 and Started practicing as a lawyer but failed miserably ("I used to attend

High Court daily whilst, in Bombay; often I could not follow the cases and dozed off").

KK also tried to enter politics from within Democratic Left Party (DSP) but did not

succeed, initially.

‘The Gandhi' was a strong proponent and practitioner of ethics and values - both in

personal and public life ("I am definitely of the opinion that a public worker should

accept no costly gifts"). He lived a simple and frugal life (even when he visited the

British monarch King George V in the cold winter of London, he was dressed in his usual


loincloth and shawl only). KK also has a humble reputation, dressing modestly and

preferring public transport to chauffeur-driven limousines. ‘The Gandhi’ never flew -

he always traveled by train and that too in the public class.

‘The Gandhi' had no assets (but has a road, college, hospital or park named after him

in every city and town of India). KK does have assets but has declared them to the

public in the form of an ‘affidavit of means' posted on his website (‘The Gandhi’ born

in the pre-computer, pre-internet era did not have a website of his own but letters

even from abroad addressed to 'Gandhi of India' were delivered to him wherever he

was in the vast country of the undivided India).

Since they belong to different eras (‘The Gandhi was assassinated in 1948), there are

bound to be differences between them. 'The Gandhi' was in politics - deep in politics -

both in South Africa and India, but never craved for power. He was not a King (but

ruled over a nation). In fact, he was the Kingmaker (many in India believe that

Jawaharlal Nehru became the first prime minister of India over a more suitable Sardar

Vallabh Bhai Patel - called the Iron Man of India - only because of Gandhi's fondness for

Nehru). KK is in active politics and is expected to play an even more important role in

Turkish politics. 'The Gandhi' said "Be the change you want to see in the world" - today

if you want to make a change, you need power and be in power – that is what KK is

trying to achieve.

Every Indian knows 'The Gandhi' who is the Bapu (Sanskrit = Father) to a billion of them.

But it is the 'Gandhis' like King, Chavez, Walesa, Hume, Aquino, Suu Kyi, Mandela, Dalai

Lama and KK, who have made 'The Gandhi’ known to people all over the world. In

today's scenario of pomp and luxury, corruption and contempt, discrimination and

violence, virtues of 'The Gandhi’ (simplicity and austerity) and his messages (truth and

non-violence) are all the more important and relevant.

VK Kapoor


Anecdote

Always amused, often annoyed and sometimes irritated by his idealistic and

principlistic attitude which invariably interfered with and often restricted their

teenage adolescent youth extra-curricular and non-curricular activities, some of the

Author's batch mates and close friends at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences

(AIIMS), New Delhi, in particular Rajeev Jain (now a leading endocrinologist in

Milwaukee WI USA) had nicknamed him MaGa (short form of Mahatma Gandhi),

pronounced as mugga, a 4 decade precursor of the now popular acronym of NaMo (for

Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of India).


Also by the Author

Kapoor VK, Kapoor L. Mediquiz Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. New Delhi: Rupa & Co. 2003.

ISBN 8129100126 and 8129100134.

Kapoor VK. India Quiz (Manuscript).

To request a soft copy of India Quiz, please send an email to:

[email protected]



About the Author

Dr VK Kapoor MBBS (AIIMS), MS (AIIMS), FAMS (India), FRCS (UK), FACS (USA),

FACG (USA) did his schooling (1968-71) at the Rajghat Besant School, Varanasi and then

studied medicine and surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New

Delhi from 1974 to 1988. He is currently a Professor of Surgical Gastroenterology at the

Sanjay Gandhi Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, where

he has been working since 1989. Dr Kapoor has been a Commonwealth Fellow to UK

and a Fulbright Fellow to USA.

Besides having written books, chapters in books and more than a hundred articles in

several Indian and foreign medical journals, he has written, along with his wife Lily,

Medi Quiz – a quiz book on medicine, disease and health - published by Rupa & Co.,

New Delhi and has authored a quiz book on Indian History. He also wrote an article on

Mahatma Gandhi in the Hurriyet Daily News Published from Istanbul, Turkey.

In addition to delivering lectures on medicine and surgery in conferences and at

institutions in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Chile, China, Czech

Republic, Dominican Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan,

Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, UAE,

UK and USA, Dr Kapoor has made presentations on Mahatma Gandhi at the Indian Social

and Cultural Centre (ISCC), Abu Dhabi UAE; Center for Diversity and Multi-cultural

Affairs (CDMA) at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Portland OR and at

the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Non-violence at Rochester MN in USA.

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